Transcript Highlights:

• We're continually reducing income for our governments and who pays the price. but continually reducing
• income for our governments and who pays the price but our residents and working families I vote no mr
• The fees residents pay go directly back to the local community.
• Be free to all members of the public because they pay with their taxes the establishment of the parks
• And I will say even a fiscal note will be be free to all members of the public because they pay with

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills on taxes, public health, veterans’ benefits, public notices, HOA rules, and school policy. SB 1045, which would bar local governments from taxing or feeing blockchain use in residences, passed 4-3 after brief discussion; supporters framed it as a tax-preemption measure, while opponents argued it would reduce local revenue. SB 1019, which would prohibit adding fluoride to public water systems, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor argued fluoride should be topical rather than systemic and cited emerging research on possible health risks, while dental and public health advocates strongly opposed the bill, citing decades of evidence that fluoridation reduces tooth decay and saves money. The committee voted 4-3 to advance the bill, with members on both sides explaining their votes at length. The committee also advanced SB 1050, granting free lifetime state park passes to Arizona veterans, after Arizona State Parks said it was neutral but warned of possible revenue losses; the bill passed 4-3. SB 1078, clarifying that court review of public-records denials is de novo, passed unanimously 7-0 with support from the Goldwater Institute and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those lands were owned by us; they were owned by the counties because the owners of the land didn't pay
• Those lands were owned by us; they were owned by the counties because the owners of the land didn't pay
• Those lands no longer generated tax revenue to pay for county services.
• Those lands no longer generated tax revenue to pay for county services.
• So we thank you for paying attention to this issue. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: HB2117 , HB2199 , HB2327 , HB2516 , HB2554

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: tribal member, board of natural resources, indigenous representation, natural resource management, local governance, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, audit, county, forest management, transparency, public lands, rodenticide, rodenticides, anticoagulant rodenticide, bromethalin, pesticide

Transcript Highlights:

• To pay people, and New Mexico can never be in that situation.
• Teacher pay is ranked third in the country, while child care workers' wages are ranked 15th.
• Importantly, teacher pay has improved since the 2019 accountability report.
• more than we are paying for infant care.
• Number 15 in provider pay.

Transcript Highlights:

• And these are funds that help pay down the debt service of communities that have already gone to their
• And these are funds that<00:57:00.640><c> pay</c><00:57:01.040><c> help</c><00:57:01.359><c> pay</c><
• help pay down the debt service that pay help pay down the debt service of<00:57:03.359><c> communities
• </c><01:07:04.319><c> So,</c> enrolles to help pay for this? So, enrolles to help pay for this?
• So, Met Dish is, uh, above my pay grade. Going back to 10 on page 15. Do we have a motion yet?

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:20:49.360><c> the</c> while back and Airbnb now is paying the while back and Airbnb now is paying
• There's a Supreme to pay them anyway.
• We're paying for 365.
• for the uh internet that we are paying for the uh internet we're<02:13:56.239><c> paying</c><02:13:56.480
• ><c> for</c> we're paying for 365 we're paying for we're paying for 365 we're paying for all<02:13:59.199

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 was called to order, and Legislative Budget Assistant Michael Kaine reviewed the working documents before the committee. He explained the compare report, the detailed change sheet, the HB 1 index, the HB 2 side-by-side, the surplus statement, and a revenue handout, noting that the committee would vote up or down on all detail-change items and that unresolved items on hold would be removed from the final bills. He also identified staff available to answer technical questions and noted that the committee would track the dollar impact of decisions as it proceeded. Members then turned to the revenue outlook, with discussion focused on the gap between the House and Senate budget positions. House members said their budget guidance was based on revenue estimates that were significantly below the governor’s proposal, and they discussed whether additional revenue could close part of the gap. Department of Revenue Administration Commissioner Lindsey Stepp presented updated revenue estimates based on May data, explaining the methodology and the ranges for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She said business taxes were the largest source of uncertainty, with estimates reflecting current economic conditions, recent revenue performance, and a range of possible growth rates. Committee members questioned the assumptions behind the business-tax ranges, including why the low and high scenarios were set at 2% and 8% growth. Stepp said the range was based on historical performance and current economic factors such as inflation, tariffs, and business behavior, and she noted that June is a major estimate-payment month for business taxes. Members also discussed recent revenue trends, including the effect of tariffs and the possibility of federal tax policy changes affecting repatriated profits. The commissioner and House members also discussed other revenue sources, including rooms and meals and real estate transfer taxes, with the House side arguing that lower mortgage rates and home prices could increase real estate transfer revenue. No votes were taken in the portion provided, but the committee discussed possible upward adjustments to House revenue assumptions, including increases of roughly $70 million in total based on the updated outlook and additional insurance-related revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> position pay that slightly higher rate. position pay that slightly higher rate.
• They pay what the market will bear, but they pay it to the trust in a way that their principal and interest
• exactly what they would they're paying exactly what they would pay<00:46:33.040><c> in</c><00:46:33.280
• ><c> a</c><00:46:33.440><c> traditional</c> pay in a traditional pay in a traditional loan<00:46:35.440
• pay for<01:54:54.960><c> the</c><01:54:55.119><c> docket.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't pay for it.
• <00:26:55.240><c> for</c><00:26:55.440><c> the</c> pay for the pay for the tickets<00:26:57.360><c> citizens
• They like to be able to park to get to their jobs and pay taxes as citizens.
• I will say, and I had a constituent bring this to light for me to pay attention to this.
• </c> it's been brought up I've been paying it's been brought up I've been paying attention<00:43:05.280

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So how do you choose who gets State money versus who has to pay for it themselves?
• It does not make any sense, and they are paying 10 times the amount in order to do it.
• It’s taking some responsibility to pay for it off the hands of a few homeowners.
• </c> it's taking some responsibility to pay it's taking some responsibility to pay for<01:04:08.119><
• </c> coming in and paying to treat pay for coming in and paying to treat pay for the<01:05:44.839><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How does the producer... ...do they pay the state a tax on that gas that goes into a pipeline?
• oil... ...line, but certainly you strip liquids out of gas, and then the gas processor may have to pay
• So the overtime pay is probably the more meaningful one. For certain auto loan interest.
• So the overtime pay is probably the more meaningful one that we anticipated.
• The overtime pay, a bit of a surprise there.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Has a unique funding policy that's irrespective of the funded ratio of the plan, and it aims to pay the
• Okay, so the employers are paying even when there are not people particularly in the system; they're
• paying for the retirement plan enhancements that we vote in.
• My memory of this is that I don't think we've ever gone retrospective on people who have been paying
• In Plan 2, members pay rates that are set via a statutory cycle every two years.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them have to make choices as to what they're going to spend their money on and where they're going to pay
• saddle ourselves with maintaining disaster mitigation implements and catchments that we then have to pay
• So these are homeowners who are still paying, some of them still paying a mortgage, still paying homeowners
• who are still paying, some of them still paying a mortgage, still paying property taxes on a house that
• they cannot inhabit, while also paying to actually live and function elsewhere.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where is the money going to come from to pay for the contract?
• This is basically just drive and pay attention to what you're doing.
• And I hope you'll pay your taxes on whoever wins with that. Gentleman from 5. Thank you, Mr.
• And so, again, this fund consists of fines and fees that criminals pay.
• They're going to pay us to store their gold, and then we're going to spend their gold.

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and committee reports. Several new Ways and Means bills were introduced, including measures on managed recreation on endowment land, large electrical loads, Medicaid eligibility and work requirements, DOPL rulemaking and fees, daily recess in schools, rural health transformation, AI regulatory review, and Idaho Digital Learning Academy changes. The House also advanced a number of bills and memorials to the third-reading calendar and suspended rules to take up House Bill 893, a codifier cleanup bill, which passed unanimously on a voice-style roll call. The House then considered a series of Senate bills and House bills. Senate Bill 1255, dealing with involuntary commitment procedures on tribal reservations and recognizing tribal health facilities and tribal police officers, passed. Senate Bill 1257, which clarifies child protection and foster-care visitation rules in cases involving serious abuse, also passed. House Bill 803, expanding confidentiality protections for personnel involved in firing-squad executions, passed after debate over transparency and due process. Senate Bill 1293, correcting an unintended effect of prior public-benefits legislation on crime victims’ compensation, passed; Senate Bill 1308, a technical mediation cleanup bill, passed; House Bill 508, concerning roadway enhancement funds and consultant coverage, passed; Senate Bill 1272, a transportation code cleanup bill, passed; and Senate Bill 1309, clarifying restitution priority in juvenile cases, passed. Several bills drew more substantial debate and were defeated. Senate Bill 1271, which would have directed the Department of Agriculture to coordinate data collection and an abatement plan for invasive rats in southwest Idaho, failed after members split over whether it was a statewide issue or a local problem and whether it would expand government or create future costs. Senate Bill 1340, a left-lane driving bill that would have required slower traffic to move right and funded signage, also failed amid concerns about road conditions, enforcement, and confusion on multi-lane highways. Senate Concurrent Resolution 120, urging changes to Idaho’s nuclear waste agreement to support used nuclear fuel reprocessing and broader nuclear development, passed after a sharp debate over whether it would help Idaho’s energy future or weaken protections against long-term waste storage. The House also passed Senate Bill 1296, updating criminal trespass law to address disruptions at houses of worship, and Senate Bill 1325, creating a white specialty license plate to support Project Choice. Later, the House approved Senate Bill 1269 on cloud seeding transparency and liability, despite objections about consent, data, and liability protections. After the day’s business, the House announced upcoming committee meetings, returned House Bill 880 to the Transportation Committee, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're paying. 45% of all out-of-state students are on fee waivers, so they're paying in-state tuition
• like this big, massive revenue from out-of-state students, 45% of those out-of-state students are paying
• My granddaughter's from out of state, and I can tell you we pay a hefty sum.
• So they're paying. 45% of all out-of-state students are on fee waivers, so they're paying in state tuition
• My granddaughter's from out of state, and I can tell you we pay a hefty son.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for CS for HB 1279, a higher education bill focused on Florida’s preeminent universities. The sponsor said the measure would increase access for Florida students, strengthen accountability and transparency, update accreditation references, adjust performance metrics, and address issues such as GPA weighting, engineering credit-hour differences, and certain fee-waiver and dental-program provisions. Members raised questions about the 95% Florida-resident enrollment target, possible funding impacts, Pell Grant metrics, and whether the bill would affect community college pathways; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at first-time-in-college students and that the 95% standard would be measured on a three-year rolling average. After an amendment removing an adjustment to the four-year graduation metric was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 17-2 vote. The committee then heard PCS for CS for HB 1059, which would strengthen speech and debate education by designating the Florida Debate Initiative as the statewide organization, supporting coach and judge training, statewide data collection, tournaments, and a Florida Speech and Debate Week. The sponsor and several students and advocates testified that speech and debate builds confidence, civics knowledge, leadership, and opportunities for English learners and other students, with multiple speakers describing how the program changed their lives. Members from both parties spoke strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee considered PCS for HB 725 on political activity at public institutions of higher education. The sponsor said the bill would standardize campus policies, require notice to students and employees about free-expression and political-campaign rules, and align state practice with federal guidelines while preserving free speech and nonpartisan voter engagement. An opponent argued the bill could create barriers to civic engagement and student organizing, while supporters said it would clarify existing rules and prevent institutions from favoring one viewpoint over another. The sponsor closed by emphasizing that the bill was about information and neutrality rather than restricting speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Myers asked about the solar companies paying taxes.
• He asked whether they are purchasing land or, in his area, using leases, and then asked who pays the
• for an assessment on Chapter 100. $100,000 to the county to pay for an assessment on Chapter 100.
• The landowner lessees, you pay the agricultural rate of the taxes, and we will make up the difference
• And when they start building the solar panels, they pay the... $1,400 per acre lease rent to the land

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The average pay is... A company, Positive Energy, is about 100 employees.
• The average pay is about 40 bucks an hour.
• We're in a tough position here to vote because the question is who pays.
• That is the question: who pays? And I am sympathetic to folks whose insurance rates are rising.
• We need to decide whether we're going to pay. I'm sorry. I'm preaching. I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 55, which would expand New Mexico’s solar market development income tax credit from 10% to 30% after the federal solar credit expired, raise the per-credit cap from $6,000 to $15,000, and keep the existing overall $30 million cap with a sunset in 2032. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would help stabilize the residential solar sector, protect jobs, and support consumers, small businesses, small agriculture, and tribal communities. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, though some members raised questions about fiscal capacity and the bill’s impact. The committee passed SB 55 on a 7-4 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 267, the Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Act, on a committee substitute. The bill would require utilities to file and maintain wildfire mitigation plans, obtain PRC approval, and receive a rebuttable presumption in civil actions if they substantially comply; it also includes access provisions for mitigation work on private and public property, cost recovery, damage limits, and a one-year statute of limitations. Utilities and co-op representatives supported the bill as a way to reduce wildfire risk and address rising insurance costs, while insurers, OSI, and wildfire-victim advocates opposed it, arguing it overly limits liability, shifts losses to homeowners and insurers, and does not fully compensate victims. Several committee members expressed concern about the liability standards, deemed approval, access to property, and the short limitations period, but the bill ultimately passed on an 8-3 vote after the chair corrected the motion and revote. Next, House Bill 320, the Industrial Carbon Reduction Act, was presented. It would create production incentives and capital grants for industrial materials made at least 40% cleaner than the industry average, with clawbacks for underperformance and competitive review by EDD and Environment. Supporters from the gas company and chambers of commerce said it uses performance-based incentives to encourage cleaner manufacturing, attract investment, and create jobs. One member raised an anti-donation clause concern, but the sponsor said the bill’s performance requirements and clawbacks address that issue. The committee passed HB 320 on a 10-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, a follow-up to last year’s wildlife agency reform bill. It would replace vetoed language by creating a process for a governor’s removal of a wildlife commissioner that includes notice, a hearing, and direct review by the New Mexico Supreme Court, while keeping the governor’s removal authority for cause. Ranching, angling, outfitter, and conservation groups supported the bill as a bipartisan fix that adds accountability and avoids political retaliation. Members asked about the removal process and direct Supreme Court review, and some who had initially been skeptical said the testimony changed their view. The bill was moving forward with support at the end of the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's $485,000 that we didn't have to pay for, and we got it through a pass-through grant through the
• We were using a contract attorney for a long period of time, which was causing us to pay out essentially
• National seminars do not pay attention to the state you're from, but when you're young, if there's one
• The easiest way to think of it is, for any contract lawyer in particular, since we're paying them an
• So there's constant modules that we're shifting in that, and this pays for that, that $2 million.

Summary: The Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary heard presentations from several agencies. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported full National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation, major improvements in turnaround times, staffing growth to 18 forensic pathologists, and expanded rural coverage, but warned that a flat budget would leave it short of funds by August. The agency requested $4.5 million in recurring funding for professional staff and operations, citing rising supply, transport, IT, and facility costs, and said failure to fund the request would cause a catastrophic collapse. Members asked about cremation fees, other revenue sources, and the consequences of not funding the request; the chair said the recommendation would be forwarded but not necessarily adopted. The Council on Judicial Complaints said complaints against judges have roughly doubled since 2018, with most complaints involving dissatisfaction with judicial rulings rather than misconduct. The council emphasized its goal of responding within 90 days, its new judges college to prevent ethics problems, and the cost of removal proceedings. It requested an additional $125,000 on top of its current $300,000 appropriation to cover rising operating costs, a lease increase, judicial college expenses, and salary adjustments. Senators asked about case prioritization, turnover, staffing, and whether a specific courtroom incident could be investigated; the director said it would be an appropriate complaint to review. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System described heavy caseloads in rural counties, a mix of satellite offices and county contracts, and a need to reduce attorney workloads, especially in Norman and Lawton. It requested funding for six resource navigators, a project manager, direct-care support, eight additional attorneys, internal training, and continued county contract funding, while also discussing possible diversion programs and grant opportunities. The Department of Corrections requested increases for county jail backup per diem and ICON maintenance, highlighted contraband interdiction, centralized visitation, mobile check-ins, and tablet-based efficiencies, and discussed an ICE detention contract at Watonga that brings in monthly revenue and jobs but is not counted in the budget request. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs presented a revised legacy-fund request tied to purchasing and remodeling a building shared with OSBI, saying the new plan would cost about $25 million total and save money compared with new construction; it also noted declining wire-transfer revenue tied to fewer grow operations and other enforcement changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• What the state used to pay for through the general fund would now be pushed directly onto individuals
• I remember her mother asking me, how am I going to pay for this? How much will this cost?
• My second, I was just incensed that there's a deductible, co-pays. I didn't know what was going on.
• They must choose between buying food, medications, diapers, and paying off medical debt.
• Those of us actually paying for health care saw our premiums go up substantially.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held a public hearing on six bills, with the chair repeatedly emphasizing one-minute testimony limits because of the large number of sign-ins. The committee first heard SB 6292, which would create a joint legislative-executive committee on health care financing to study strategies for improving statewide access and coverage and report in 2027. Supporters, including the Health Care Authority, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, community health centers, carriers, and provider groups, said the bill could help the state respond to affordability and system sustainability challenges and coordinate policy work across branches of government. The committee then heard SB 6258, which would create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntarily relinquishing certain Washington Medical Commission licenses. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would provide a humane exit option for physicians and other licensees who are medically disabled or otherwise leaving practice, without forcing them into a disciplinary process. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, and the hearing closed with 17 people signed in pro and 2 con. The committee also heard SB 6182, establishing an abortion savings program funded by a new assessment on health carriers. Supporters argued it would recapture funds originally set aside for abortion care under the ACA and protect access amid federal changes, while opponents raised concerns about hidden taxes, lack of opt-out, and the impact on premiums and conscience rights. The hearing drew very large public interest, with 245 signed in pro and 1,775 con. The committee next took testimony on SB 5947, which would establish the Washington Health Care Board and prepare a state universal health care plan contingent on federal authorization and funding. Supporters from labor, health care, tribal, and universal coverage advocacy groups said the bill would position Washington to act quickly if federal waivers become available and argued that health care should be treated as a human right; opponents warned about costs, vagueness, and government overreach. The hearing then moved to SJR 8206, a proposed constitutional amendment declaring access to affordable health care a fundamental right. Supporters framed it as an aspirational commitment and a necessary step toward universal coverage, while opponents argued the language was vague, legally risky, and could create costly obligations. Finally, the committee heard SB 5823, which would require hospitals to employ or provide access to patient advocates to help patients navigate bills, records, and appointments. Hospital and patient coalition witnesses supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify staffing, exemptions, and scope; the hearing closed with 20 signed in pro, 792 con, and 3 other. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A scrap metal business may pay up to a maximum of $30 in a stored value device or electronic funds transfer
• , or figure out how they're going to pay for broken-down cars or medical emergencies.
• My question is on when a borrower fails to pay.
• I see that you have given some extended time to pay this back.
• We will not be paying cash anymore for over-the-counter transactions.

Bills: HB2361 , HB2542 , HB2629 , HB2394 , HB2274 , HB1078 , HB2294

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: small loans, consumer protection, financial regulation, lending limits, credit access, animal testing, alternatives, ethical research, animal welfare, scientific methods, infrastructure, protection, safety, security, state regulations, public safety, insurance fraud, law enforcement, crime, penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• , or figure out how they're going to pay for broken-down cars or medical emergencies.
• My question is on when a borrower fails to pay.
• I see that you have given some extended time to pay this back.
• So if I may have a follow-up, then what is the motivation for the consumer to pay it back if they can
• We will not be paying cash anymore for over-the-counter transactions.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2542 would require drug developers to use validated non-animal testing methods when available, unless federal regulators request animal testing. The sponsor said the bill builds on prior Washington action on cosmetics testing and is intended to move toward more humane and modern science. Supporters, including students, animal welfare advocates, and biotech-related witnesses, argued that animal tests often fail to predict human outcomes and that alternatives are more accurate. A biotech industry representative said animal testing is still necessary for some research and warned the bill could deter local innovation, but said the industry was open to amendments. The sponsor said she was open to discussing changes to the enforcement mechanism. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 2629 would address theft and vandalism of critical communications infrastructure, including copper and fiber lines. The bill would ban cash payments for nonferrous metal transactions, require electronic or stored-value payment methods, impose civil penalties for stolen copper used in telecommunications cable, and create a new Class C felony for destruction of critical communications infrastructure. The sponsor and industry witnesses described repeated outages affecting 911, hospitals, schools, and first responders, and said Washington has a high rate of these incidents. Recycling industry representatives supported the bill after negotiations, but a prosecutor and some others said the bill should focus more on law enforcement tools such as searchable transaction databases and holding periods rather than new penalties. No final action was taken in the hearing. House Bill 2394 would expand the Insurance Commissioner’s insurance fraud program and create a Class B felony for insurance fraud, including fraudulent billing, misrepresentation of repair costs, and misuse of coding systems. The bill also broadens who can be considered a victim for restitution and gives the commissioner additional investigative tools, while the substitute removed a reporting duty for certified public accountants. The sponsor and the Insurance Commissioner’s office said the measure responds to more sophisticated, technology-driven fraud schemes that harm both insurers and consumers. Insurance industry and fraud bureau witnesses supported the bill as a consumer protection measure. No vote was taken. House Bill 2361 would raise the maximum principal amount for small loans from $700 to $1,200, with annual inflation adjustments, while keeping the existing 30% of monthly income cap and other safeguards. The sponsor said the change would better reflect emergency costs and help borrowers avoid illegal lenders. DFI raised implementation questions about inflation adjustments and publication requirements, and opponents from AARP, SEIU 775, poverty advocates, and consumer attorneys argued the bill would increase debt traps and fees for low-income borrowers and older adults. MoneyTree supported the bill, saying the current cap is outdated and that the product remains a flat-fee, regulated credit option with existing consumer protections. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 2294, which would prohibit negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies; staff described a proposed amendment adding notice and changing enforcement, and the committee then moved the bill out with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• When those systems are siloed and their policies fail to work together, families and children pay the
• And I want to be very clear about this particular bill: we're already paying for these dentists.
• We're paying for the dentists in these facilities, and we're already paying for the overhead.
• We're paying for the dentists in these facilities, and we're already paying for the overhead.
• and provide some services that they're already paying to members of the community.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on recommendations from the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group. Tisha Kirshbaum of the Health Care Authority described the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan, a prenatal-to-25 system-of-care framework meant to reduce fragmentation, improve coordination across multiple state agencies, and expand early, community-based behavioral health supports. Members asked about duplication among agencies, simplification of the system, and upstream services such as community health workers, school-based supports, and crisis access. The committee then heard House Bill 2429, which would direct the governor and state agencies to align with the Washington Thriving plan, create an executive coordination officer and leadership council, extend the work group, and require broader alignment by state, tribal, local, and nonprofit entities. The bill received strong support from the governor’s office, the Health Care Authority, parents, youth, providers, and advocates, while a few testifiers raised concerns about government overreach, cost, or the need to address non-psychiatric causes of distress. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2364, which renames and expands the Legislative Executive Work First Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force into the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force and updates the related advisory council to align with the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill reflects the evolution of the poverty-reduction effort and adds agencies such as the Department of Revenue, Health Care Authority, and Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Testimony from DSHS and advocates was uniformly supportive, emphasizing bipartisan collaboration and the need to update statute to match current work. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2171 on supporting foster youth. The bill would create an endangered foster youth alert system, require county rapid-response protocols, establish a foster youth empowerment account, create an oversight board through the Ombuds office, and expand training for foster parents and child welfare workers. The prime sponsor and several advocates described the bill as a response to lived experience and a way to improve accountability and long-term support. DCYF said it supports the intent but raised legal and cost concerns, and some youth advocates warned that public alerts could increase risk or trauma for youth who run away from unsafe placements. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2314, which would create a pilot allowing certain community-based clients with developmental disabilities to receive dental care at residential habilitation centers. Supporters said the bill would use existing dental capacity to address severe access gaps and long waits in the community, while opponents from disability advocacy groups argued it would pull people back into institutional settings instead of building community-based dental capacity. Testimony on the bill was mixed, and no final committee action was taken in the transcript.