Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to taxation without a vote, I'd like to clarify that that could be a little bit misleading
• In this bill, you have purposely struck out the people's vote on an excise tax.
• We have one person in present remote, Stephen Ellis. Please come up.
• We have one person in person, Stephen Ellis, and then remotely David Toyer and Devin Gomboski.
• Please come on up, and then on deck remotely we'll have John Worthington. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: SB6211 , SB6234 , SB6242

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: real estate, excise tax, growth management, uniformity, local government, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, shared stewardship, counties authority, land management, environmental agreements, local governance

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be a division vote. 1814H. This will be a division vote.
• Please vote red. And Mr. revenue. Please vote red. And Mr.
• vote against it.
• vote against it.
• vote against it.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask you to vote against House Bill 2521.
• I urge you to vote no. Thank you. Thank you. We'll go next to remote testimony, Mallory Davies.
• to circumvent our vote on increasing this levy.
• This bill concerns the Washington Voting Rights Act.
• Voting Rights Act, a federal voting rights act, or other elections-related laws.

Summary: The committee first suspended the five-day notice rule and then heard House Bill 2521 on firearm background check fees. Staff explained that the bill would remove the $18 fee cap and allow Washington State Patrol to set fees based on actual program costs, which could be about $33 to $35 per check. Supporters said the change was needed to keep the background check system operating and avoid delays and layoffs; opponents argued it would burden lawful gun owners and amount to an unconstitutional tax or barrier to a constitutional right. No vote was taken in the hearing. Members then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language-accessible public programs, which would direct the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines, address interpreter and translator shortages, and require agency implementation reporting. Testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the need for consistent access for limited-English-proficient residents and the benefits for schools, families, and state services. The committee also heard Second Substitute House Bill 2479 on wage recovery, which would create a wage recovery fund to provide partial advance payments to low-wage workers with meritorious unpaid wage claims and adjust wage penalty provisions. Employers, labor advocates, and legal services representatives largely supported the bill as a bipartisan, worker-protection measure funded by penalties rather than the general fund. The committee next took up Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 on renewable energy tax incentives, which would replace existing property tax and excise tax provisions with a new state and local renewable energy excise tax structure and related grant programs for local governments and tribes. Counties, utilities, developers, and tribal representatives generally supported the bill’s goal of stabilizing tax treatment for renewable projects, though several witnesses said they wanted amendments to address rates, timing, and late-stage project impacts. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5932 on alternative jet fuel incentives, which would change the timing and duration of existing tax preferences; supporters said it would provide certainty for emerging sustainable aviation fuel projects, while one refinery sought clarification and a broader county threshold. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2238 on statewide food security, directing the Department of Agriculture to monitor food system performance and develop a statewide food security strategy. Agricultural groups, grocers, anti-hunger advocates, and farmers supported the bill as a coordination effort to improve food access, affordability, and supply chain resilience. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1903, which would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce; supporters said it would address growing unmet need and complement existing utility programs, while opponents said it did not address the root causes of rising energy costs. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416 on waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515 on large energy-use facilities (data centers), both of which drew mixed testimony centered on balancing emissions, ratepayer impacts, reliability, and environmental or tribal concerns. No final votes were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will be voting no.
• If the system, if people access it remotely, you have to take remote testimony.
• Tonga-Paw not voting. Sorry, Mr. Tonga, voting aye. And Mr. Jeff Gonzalez, not voting. Thank you.
• So I can't vote for it.
• Pacheco not voting and Mr. Jeff Gonzalez not voting. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on August 20, 2025, and considered a large number of bills, with most of the discussion centered on election redistricting and several health, labor, environmental, and government-operations measures. The first major item was ACA 8, a constitutional amendment tied to a proposed November special election and temporary mid-decade congressional redistricting in response to partisan redistricting efforts in other states. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a 2020 redistricting commissioner, labor groups, and allies of the measure, argued it was necessary to defend democracy, protect representation, and respond to federal actions affecting California. Opponents, including Assemblymember Tom Lackey reading a statement for Assemblymember Gallagher and Assemblymember Dixon, argued the measure would undermine the independent redistricting commission, amount to a partisan power grab, and cost taxpayers roughly $230 million. Committee members also focused heavily on fiscal questions, including litigation costs and county election funding, and Department of Finance staff said counties would be made whole and funding would be advanced. The committee ultimately voted the measure out on a B roll call. The committee then heard SB 280, the implementing bill for the special election and related redistricting process. Supporters repeated the argument that California needed to respond to Texas and other states, while opponents again emphasized the cost, the strain on county budgets, and the state’s broader fiscal pressures. Department of Finance witnesses said the election funding would be provided in advance and that the state would work with counties and the Secretary of State. The bill was moved out on a roll call after extended debate. The committee also advanced several other bills, including SB 283 on battery storage safety standards, SB 470 extending remote participation and open-meeting flexibility for state boards and commissions, SB 697 modernizing stream adjudication procedures, SB 513 requiring more accessible employee training records, SB 30 restricting transfer of older diesel locomotives, SB 841 and SB 81 creating protections for vulnerable facilities and health care spaces from immigration enforcement, SB 358 revising traffic impact fee standards, and SB 630 streamlining state parks land acquisitions. Other measures discussed included SB 62 expanding health coverage benefits, SB 68 requiring restaurant allergen disclosures, and the committee heard both support and opposition on SB 68 from the California Restaurant Association and consumer advocates. Supporters of the health and immigrant-protection bills emphasized patient safety, reproductive health, immigrant rights, and access to care, while opponents on the restaurant bill warned of added mandates and litigation risk for small businesses. Across the hearing, committee members frequently returned to fiscal impacts, county implementation burdens, and whether the bills would save money, cost money, or shift costs to local governments. Several bills were reported out of committee, often on A or B roll calls, with some members not voting on particular measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we did not call the members who are voting remotely.
• In the case of a are voting remotely.
• </c> vote in which a member was able to vote vote in which a member was able to vote remotely.<00:58:
• The clerk will call the roll of the members voting remotely. Cha. Cha votes no. Green votes no.
• Members, please vote. The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Green. Yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely: Katiza Watton. Go ahead.
• The Chief Clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely: Katiza Watoon. Katiza Watoon, no.
• I'm voting remotely. Representative Katiza Wittoon. Katiza Wittoon, aye. Aye.
• Members, please vote. The chief clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely.
• The Chief Clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Catiza Watoon votes aye.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. >> Probably have to hit the gavel.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. >> Kisa [clears throat] Watun. >>
• Kisa Watun, present. >> The clerk will close the role. participating remotely. participating remotely
• Madam Speaker, members, please vote I. The resolution passes. Motions and resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we have remote... Bryce Yaden in person. Then we have remote McKenzie Inn and Ivy Roth.
• And thank you, Representative Zahn, for bringing this forward for our vote. Good morning.
• Could we confirm if Bryce Yaden ended up joining remotely? He was here. Don't see him now.
• Could we confirm if Bryce Yaden ended up joining remotely? He was here. Don't see him now.
• We're going to start with one remote testifier before we go to the two in person.

Bills: HB2228 , HB2273 , HB2418 , HB2381

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: building code, safety regulations, construction, scissor stairs, state standards, embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, environment, permit review, project permits, land use, zoning, development regulations, residential development, housing permits, affordable housing, local government, county planning, city planning

Transcript Highlights:

• Doer votes aye. Zahn votes aye. Representative Zahn votes aye.
• on Zahn votes aye representative Zon votes aye clicker Representative Zahn votes aye.
• Representative Griffey votes nay, do not pass. Representative Hall votes aye.
• I'm voting no.
• I think we can do a voice vote. I think we can do a voice vote.

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 6026, which would prohibit certain GMA-planning cities and counties from excluding residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones and would limit local requirements for ground-floor commercial or mixed-use space, subject to numerous exemptions and a possible study-based off-ramp. The bill sponsor and supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, the governor’s housing policy advisor, Commerce staff, developers, labor/employer groups, and housing advocates, argued it would reduce barriers, reuse underutilized commercial land, and help address the state’s housing shortage. Cities including Bellevue, Kirkland, Bellingham, Redmond, Kent, Lacey, and Lakewood testified in opposition or with concerns, emphasizing local control, impacts on walkable neighborhoods and small businesses, implementation costs, and the need for more flexibility or clearer compliance options. Committee members asked about exemptions, the study process, and how the bill would affect existing local plans and incentives. The committee then moved to executive session on several bills. It rejected Representative Griffey’s amendment to Senate Bill 5820, which would have restored Clark County’s freight rail dependent overlay authority and added findings about greenhouse gas reductions from short line rail, and then passed SB 5820 out with a do pass recommendation. The committee also passed SB 5995, extending authorization for port districts to purchase zero- and near-zero-emission cargo handling equipment; SB 5552, directing rulemaking for kit home building codes; SB 5467, raising thresholds for water-sewer district surplus property sales; and SB 6189, removing the deadline for forming a public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities. Each of those bills received a do pass recommendation, with some members noting support for housing, workforce, efficiency, or local flexibility and others expressing concerns about contracts, automation, or competitiveness. After executive session, the committee resumed testimony on SB 6026. Additional supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, Commerce, developers, the Washington Roundtable, Microsoft, and housing organizations, reiterated that the bill would unlock housing on vacant commercial land and preserve some local flexibility through exemptions and height incentives. Opponents and concerned cities continued to argue that the bill would weaken local planning, reduce commercial space needed for complete communities, and impose costs and implementation burdens. The hearing concluded without final action on SB 6026, with the chair noting more testimony and work remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I'm going to be an aye vote on the bill.
• The current vote is 5-3, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting no.
• The current vote is 8-3, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting no. Senator Valadares?
• The current vote is 9-3, with the Chair voting aye and the Vice Chair voting no.
• I'm not voting. 9-3. Bills out. Thank you. That concludes the voting for today.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we will be voting on pending business. As a matter of pending business, the chair...
• The introduced bill does not mention remote meetings; however, the substitute opens the door to using
• You guys do that when you have remote meetings, right?
• In the past, I've had some people ask, pushing back, well, could your consultants remote in?
• I suggest you vote against House Bill 2561 and leave the current law in place that gives district board

Bills: HB1835 , HB2561 , HB3630

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: manufactured housing, HUD-code, zoning, local government regulations, installation permits, municipal utility district, board meetings, public access, meeting location, transparency, fire prevention, agriculture, local government, fire safety, regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have two people in person and we have two people in remote.
• And then for those on remote, we have Colin Pierce and Olivia Surrogate. Garte. Please proceed.
• Chair, we do have one person, I'm sorry, one testifier in person and three people remote.
• In remote, we have Jessica Renner and Dalmar Ose, Aaron, and Leslie Whiting.
• Chair, we do have someone remote. We have Jason Bennett. Hello. All right, there you are, Jason.

Bills: SCR8406 , SB5825 , SB5842 , SB5863 , SB5840

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: civic health, community engagement, committee reestablishment, public participation, governance, Washington State Leadership Board, WSLB, gift acceptance, grants, endowments, private funding, public funding, fundraising, state board, youth leadership, civic engagement, leadership development, Washington World Fellows, sports mentoring, Boundless Washington

Transcript Highlights:

• Ryu votes aye. Representative Ryu votes aye. Representative Kloba? She's excused.
• Representative Cortes votes aye. Representative Cortes votes aye. Representative Cortes votes aye.
• Representative Cortes votes aye. Representative Cortes votes aye. Representative Donaghy?
• Thomas votes aye. Representative Thomas votes aye. Representative Thomas votes aye.
• Representative Volz votes aye. Representative Waters votes no, do not pass.

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:

• All those in favor vote aye. All oppose will vote no.
• If we could call for roll call vote,<01:04:08.160><c> please.</c> vote, please. vote, please.
• </c> with that, I'm an I vote. with that, I'm an I vote.
• </c> explain my no vote. explain my no vote.
• and explain my vote. >> Senator Carol, I'd like to cast an I vote and explain my vote.

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, 'Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments
• Then when she had to vote remotely because of her illness, she'd send me a text and say, "Great comments

Transcript Highlights:

• He just wants to vote on it. bill. He just wants to vote on it.
• I will also be voting against this.
• &gt;&gt; I will also be uh voting um in &gt;&gt; I will also be uh voting um in opposition<00:17:34.240
• I from the time voting against this.
• </c><01:51:12.000><c> Um</c> remote staff of 24 of my own. Um remote staff of 24 of my own.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1150, which would require disclosure of complaints to public employees within five business days. Members said the sponsor was still working on an amendment, so the bill was held for another week with the understanding it would be executed next week if no amendment was ready. The chair also outlined the committee’s schedule, including upcoming floor reports and the goal of finishing the remaining committee bills on time. The committee then took up House Bill 1168, concerning employer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the bill would give employers more time to gather payroll records, especially when claims arise years later, and said the current system should be adjusted for fairness to businesses. Opponents, including several members, said payroll records are usually electronic and should be produced quickly so workers waiting on wages are not delayed. The Department of Labor deputy commissioner testified that employers can already request extensions and that further extensions could still be requested under the current process. The committee voted 11-9 to ought to pass HB 1168. Next, House Bill 1250, dealing with notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements for leave related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric appointments, was considered. Members said the statute was newly enacted, had been carefully negotiated, and should be allowed to work before being revised. The committee voted 20-0 to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1043, which would allow private employers to adopt their own minimum pay policies for report-to-work situations instead of being bound by the current two-hour minimum, so long as the policy is established in advance. The sponsor said the bill would modernize an outdated law and preserve the current default if no policy is adopted. Members raised questions about collective bargaining agreements and whether the bill could weaken existing worker protections, while the sponsor and supporters said it was intended to provide flexibility rather than a mandate. The hearing continued with questions and discussion, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It passed the House by a vote of 58 to 38.
• I encourage you to vote yes.
• Please vote yes. Thank you.
• In Seattle, we've overwhelmingly voted to support it twice, last time by a two-to-one vote.
• In Seattle, we've overwhelmingly voted to support it twice, last time by a two-to-one vote.

Bills: HB2304 , HB2664

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer

Transcript Highlights:

• having more remote training sessions.
• How much of your training is currently available to you remotely?
• Every class that the NDFA offers is offered remotely.
• and teaching remotely.
• We voted on it, I believe, in meeting two or meeting three.

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're really great, and we'll get a chance to vote on them later this week.
• And Breck is remote. Unmute yourself and turn on your camera, please. Vicki Clark, are you remote?
• Let's go with the remote testifier, Laura Lant, followed by Kurt Huberkotter.
• Remote testifier, Brad Brotherton, please.
• Remote testifier, Brad Brotherton, please.

Bills: SB6225 , SB6005 , SB6354

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation bonds, general obligation bonds, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway funding, road construction, infrastructure financing, motor fuel tax, gas tax, vehicle fees, bond authorization, state finance committee, highway bond retirement fund, corridor projects, interstate improvements, right-of-way acquisition, public-private partnerships, transportation capital projects, local matching funds, emergency clause

Transcript Highlights:

• Some folks may have testified on Monday, and then get teed up here in the remote room.
• Teed up here in the remote room will bring over Jay Tyos, David Mendoza, and Rhonda Hoff.
• I don’t see our remote folks have come in: Amy Sells, Chris Beckers, and Randy Heath.
• And hopefully our remote people can get moved over. Go ahead, Cynthia.
• Let's turn to our remote folks, starting with Derek. Please go ahead.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.