Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that's how you can get teachers for rural areas in high need.
• Yeah, that's how you can get teachers for rural areas in high need.
• Yeah, that's how you can get teachers for rural areas in high need.
• </c><01:23:50.800><c> um</c><01:23:51.320><c> we</c><01:23:51.480><c> we</c> know rural rural um areas
• where um we we know rural rural um areas where um we we have<01:23:51.760><c> people</c><01:23:51.960

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Revenue Estimating Conference estimate that the impact of this bill is zero.
• That being said, zero fiscal impact still has not only a fiscal impact to Florida’s corporations,” “Zero
• fiscal impact still has not only a fiscal impact to Florida’s corporations, but it’s also going to have
• You're saying, Senator Grohl, that your bill does not impact adoptions at all? Senator Grohl.
• We will face not just a Florida problem, but one with far-reaching impacts across the country.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• the rural policy and Development Center board of directors, and the Council on Asian Pacific ...
• the rural policy and Development Center board of directors, and the Council on Asian Pacific ...
• the rural policy and Development Center board of directors, and the Council on Asian Pacific ...

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my first question is, you know, how is environmentally impacted land?
• Environmentally impacted land. So that’s not agricultural land.
• If we’d like to tighten up the language on the environmentally impacted land, I would be very open to
• You can create meaningful rural policies as well. You can and you should include the public.
• It also impacts zoning designation, as other people have said, density limits, compatibility.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, many focused on local government authority, land use, housing, and public notice requirements. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, SB 962 on affordable housing protections for farms, SB 218 on land use regulations in hurricane-affected counties, SB 1020 on regulation of chickee huts, and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment of environmentally challenged properties. SB 1180 on community development district recall elections was amended to narrow and clarify the recall process and to add provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts before being reported favorably. SB 380 on legal notices was also amended and reported favorably despite significant opposition from the Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and others who argued it would further fragment public notice access; supporters said it would modernize publication options and save money. Testimony on the bills was mixed. Supporters of the housing and redevelopment measures argued they would increase attainable housing, streamline approvals, and make better use of underutilized or contaminated land, while local government groups and advocacy organizations warned about overdevelopment, reduced public input, infrastructure strain, and conflicts with comprehensive planning. On SB 1444, which combined preemptions related to religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting requirements, supporters framed it as protecting religious freedom and limiting local micromanagement, while the League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties opposed it as overly broad and unclear; the bill nevertheless passed favorably after debate. SB 218 was presented as restoring normal land-use authority in counties unaffected by hurricanes while preserving protections in damaged areas, and SB 984 was described as clarifying firefighter cancer benefits and health coverage rules; both passed without controversy. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 948, a strike-all on local government land development regulations and orders that would create a statewide framework for starter homes and lot-split rules within urban growth areas. Supporters said it would expand housing supply and reduce regulatory delays, while opponents said it would override local zoning, weaken infrastructure and environmental protections, and apply too broadly. The bill drew support from housing advocates and some local officials, but opposition from the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and others. The transcript ends with SB 948 still under consideration, with testimony continuing and no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've talked a lot about what is happening in our rural areas and the particular challenges that we face
• That would make a monumental impact on every single Californian instead of pulling a bond during a record
• That would make a monumental impact on every single Californian instead of pulling a bond during a record
• So already, this cohort has made a meaningful impact.
• am pleased to present and raise a metaphorical glass to H.R. 116, which recognizes the invaluable impact

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures. The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate. The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• but I'm sure that's, you know, as I recall, I believe even on this one, it's a fairly significant impact
• but I'm sure that's, you know, as I recall, I believe even on this one, it's a fairly significant impact
• Oklahoma Mother of the Year, selected by American Mothers, which honors mothers making a lasting impact
• Ashley's impact has extended beyond her home and into her community.
• So based on your observation about the impact of COLAs and this body awarding COLAs, wouldn't you agree

Bills: SB1365 , SB2139 , SB1595 , SB1303 , SB2180 , SB2072 , SB1772 , SB1209 , SB137 , SB1944 , SB372 , SB1636 , SB1256 , SB1827 , SB2104 , SB1226 , SB1876 , SB1966 , SB80 , SB1148 , SB1147 , SB1149 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1164 , SB1159 , SB1165 , SB1174 , SB1156 , SB1158 , SB1163 , SB1175 , SB1176 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1157 , SB1146 , SB1481 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SCR20

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions, including the Oklahoma Elks Lodge Association, Guthrie Day visitors, students from Sanger Ridge Elementary and Stillwater, and multiple honored guests and athletic teams. The chamber also heard a farewell speech from Representative Dale Kerbs reflecting on his 10 years in the House, his committee work, staff, family, and major policy changes during his tenure. A concurrent resolution recognizing the YMCA on its 175th anniversary was also adopted. The bulk of the meeting focused on a series of Senate bills carrying joint committee reports, many of them appropriations or retirement-related measures. The House passed bills providing COLAs or related benefit changes for judicial retirees (SB 1148), firefighters (SB 1147), police retirees (SB 1146), public employees (SB 1145), and teachers (SB 1144), along with a one-time stipend for a small group of retired police and firefighters who missed prior increases (SB 1149). Members asked questions about pension solvency, tiered COLA structures, and whether any bills reduced state contributions; the sponsors generally said the systems were stable or that future legislatures would retain oversight. The House also passed limits bills for the Health Care Authority (SB 1161), State Department of Health (SB 1162), Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (SB 1164), Department of Human Services (SB 1163), Public Safety (SB 1165), Agriculture (SB 1166), and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (SB 1175 and SB 1176). Several other measures were approved with little or no debate, including appropriations for remediation assistance (SB 1159), a Pardon and Parole Board pay increase (SB 1156), funding for the Office of Juvenile Affairs to ensure juveniles receive prescribed medication (SB 1158), a new OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit (SB 1157), and OMES provisions for Pay for Success and a public contract-spending database (SB 1167). The House also passed a school bill adding 20 minutes of recess for K-5 students, with members joking about recess for legislators as well. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan margins, and several emergency clauses were adopted by the required two-thirds vote. The House then recalled HB 1933 from engrossing and enrolling and adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• hunting and fishing is not only important to our operations, but it's an essential component to Idaho's rural
• there are windows in which we are able to work to do work inside the stream where we'll minimize the impacts
• or have no impacts to fish populations.
• Chairman, Senator Hart, the question is, can we get wolf management decoupled from having any impacts
• And the $1.67 million reduction next fiscal year would mean 1.14 furlough days impacting our 227 employees

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and questions for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Office of Species Conservation, and the Office of the Attorney General. Fish and Game’s budget was described as largely dedicated and federal funding with no general fund support, with discussion of ongoing and one-time enhancements for fisheries inflation, habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, depredation claims, chronic wasting disease testing, and communications. Director Jim Fredericks also reviewed the new nonresident tag draw system, access challenges on private lands, and the department’s role in habitat work and species management. Members raised concerns about depredation claim shortfalls, survey and advisory committee processes, predator management, and the overlap between Fish and Game and the Office of Species Conservation on habitat and endangered species work. The Office of Species Conservation presentation focused on its role coordinating state actions for threatened, endangered, and candidate species, mostly through federal and miscellaneous revenue funds. Administrator Mike Edmondson explained that the office often serves as the policy and administrative lead while Fish and Game carries out much of the field work, and he described metrics for sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bear-related efforts. He also said the office has been working with the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources on a possible merger, with some staff reductions under consideration, and answered questions about grizzly bear delisting, wolf litigation, and tribal consultation. Attorney General Raul Labrador then argued that his office has produced significant results without asking for new money, but said the committee’s proposed reductions would force furloughs or position cuts and asked for $980,000 to be restored. He highlighted the ICAC unit’s elimination of a cyber-tip backlog, increased arrests, consumer protection recoveries, and expanded appellate and civil litigation work defending state laws. Members asked about the source of recovered funds, the office’s flexibility to absorb cuts, and whether the state could work on a framework to transfer incarcerated undocumented offenders to federal custody for deportation. The committee ended by noting upcoming budget-setting work and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I guess my question is: what is your view of this impact on charter schools as private operators
• In how it's laid out, there won't be an impact to the general fund. Okay.
• Our concern is that some of these schools may be disproportionately impacted because of the students
• schools that are seeking to try to serve more challenging populations could be disproportionately impacted
• Obviously, we have a lot of people in the rural counties who live in that region.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. SB 1572, the Return to Civics Instruction Act, would require Freedom Week, civics instruction on the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and a Declaration recitation for grades 3-12; it passed 3-2 after some members argued schools already provide civics instruction and that the legislature should not mandate curriculum. SB 1798, as amended, would require each high school to designate a FAFSA point person, post contact information, and implement a FAFSA awareness strategy; the Arizona Board of Regents supported it, while some members raised concerns about mandates on charter schools and staffing burdens. The committee also passed SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to develop and post age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, with testimony split between support for parent-accessible safety materials and concerns about sex-education compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I guess my question is: what is your view of this impact on charter schools as private operators
• In how it's laid out, there won't be an impact to the general fund.
• Our concern is that some of these schools may be disproportionately impacted because of the students
• Our concern is that some of these schools may be disproportionately impacted because of the students
• Obviously, we have a lot of people in the rural counties who live in that region; this would help them

Bills: SB1004 , SB1424 , SB1497 , SB1507 , SB1572 , SB1684 , SB1711 , SB1741 , SB1754 , SB1763 , SB1798 , SCR1012 , SCR1041 , SCR1051

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification

Transcript Highlights:

• these services on the ground since some of the grants have been rolled out have seen a lot of good impact
• that are going to be able to perform... ...these services going forward are able to see the positive impact
• especially value the space when it comes to... ...the treatment of cats and the environment, which impacts
• It most impacts not just animals but counties who have to continue to shelter animals.
• This statute of limitations issue could potentially impact the way that those are defined throughout

Bills: SB38 , SB17 , SB41 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leek: It reduces the requirement, but in our rural communities nepotism has an outsized impact
• vehicle had to get towed away and was not able to drive on its own, which would indicate a substantial impact
• DEI is really about welcoming people in by removing the unconscious and conscious biases that impact
• will go into effect, certainly, every city, every county is not going to be able to understand the impact
• I don't know if that will impact at We are actually discussing that and hope it does because there was

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2401 does not address critical root causes impacting boys and men.
• House Bill 2401 does not address critical root causes impacting boys and men.
• Many of these cases have impacts on people's lives, and so our judges experience similar threats.
• Many of these cases have impacts on people's lives, and so our judges experienced similar threats.
• ALJs decide cases with high emotional impact for parties.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2462 would direct the governor to create rules for countering threats from unpiloted aircraft systems and authorize National Guard support for law enforcement in certain circumstances; the prime sponsor and National Guard witnesses said it would improve coordination for events like the FIFA World Cup, while one testifier supported it with amendments related to law enforcement authority, data privacy, and a web portal. HB 2401 would create a Washington State Boys and Men’s Commission, contingent on non-state funding through 2029; supporters described concerns about boys’ and men’s mental health, suicide, loneliness, education, and workforce outcomes, while some asked that physical health and fatherhood be more explicitly addressed. HB 2198 would expand and standardize statewide credential and permit reporting, require agencies to publish timelines and fee refunds for missed deadlines, and consolidate reporting; the governor’s office, business groups, labor, ports, and the Department of Health testified in support, citing faster processing, predictability, and economic benefits. HB 2419 would extend Address Confidentiality Program eligibility to administrative law judges and certain Office of Administrative Hearings staff; OAH, county officials, and county clerks supported the bill, citing threats and safety concerns, and some asked to include county clerks as well. The committee then took executive action on HB 2210, HB 2205, and HB 2249. It adopted an amendment to HB 2210 preserving existing ranked choice voting systems and advanced the bill 4-2 with one excused. It adopted an amendment to HB 2205 making threats against sports officials, coaches, or participants involved in wagered events a Class C felony and barring offenders from future wagering, and advanced the bill 5-1 with one excused. HB 2249, reclassifying certain WATEC employees performing network and security duties, was advanced unanimously 6-0 with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has a huge impact on displays in our museums.
• But have you been contacted by them to see how that impacts what's going on?
• The horrific practice contributed to a deep mistrust of health care systems, impacting their reluctance
• We want to acknowledge that every decision we make impacts our entire community.
• Not only did it impact what she thought she was going to have children, but it also affected the rest

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• and third, to require ...a joint study from the Department of Insurance and the PUC on the UM/UIM impacts
• Part of the reason I'm carrying this bill is that in rural and suburban parts of California, my county
• Can you talk a little bit about what the impact would be for a driver who is seriously injured, who is
• How will this impact that worker if this bill were to pass?
• If this bill were to pass, it would not have any impact on the driver, and we have $1 million in driver

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard three bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for transportation network companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, with committee amendments adding findings and declarations, higher limits than originally proposed, and a joint study on UM/UIM impacts. Supporters, including Uber, Lyft, business groups, and some consumer advocates, argued the bill would lower fares and increase driver earnings by reducing insurance costs. Opponents, including consumer attorneys, labor groups, and consumer watchdog organizations, warned it would cut protections for riders and drivers and might not guarantee savings would be passed through. The committee approved SB 371 on a due-pass basis and re-referred it to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard SB 716 by Senator Durazo, which would create a Home Internet Lifeline Program to let eligible low-income households apply Lifeline subsidies to home broadband service. Proponents said the bill addresses broadband affordability after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program expired, and that it would help students, workers, and families access reliable internet. Opponents from the wireless industry objected to the funding mechanism, arguing the surcharge would fall unfairly on wireless consumers, while one broadband group moved to neutral after amendments. The bill was approved on a due-pass basis and sent to Appropriations, but the roll was held open and later completed with the bill passing 7-1. The committee also took up SB 480 by Senator Archuleta relating to autonomous vehicles as a consent item, with no presentation or debate. It was approved on a due-pass basis and re-referred to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly focused on affordability, consumer protection, and whether savings from the bills would actually reach riders, drivers, or households.

Transcript Highlights:

• My story is just one example of this program's profound impact.
• use those additional funds, if I'm right about those numbers, just to sort of understand what the impact
• um just to sort of understand<00:15:56.279><c> what</c><00:15:56.440><c> the</c><00:15:56.600><c> impact
• c><00:15:57.040><c> would</c><00:15:57.240><c> be</c><00:15:57.560><c> of</c> understand what the impact
• would be of understand what the impact would be of those<00:15:57.920><c> additional</c><00:15:58.279

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in the months since August, we've sat down with many of you, Republicans and Democrats, rural and
• and urban people and Democrats, rural and urban people from<00:10:35.200><c> all</c><00:10:35.360><c
• Please introduce yourself and begin.” reminding us the um impacts on first reminding us the um impacts
• So, do you have any idea how many Minnesotans will be impacted by this law?
• This bill would unfairly impact individuals that live in high-impact areas or high-density areas like

Bills: HF3433 , HF3402 , HF3412 , HF3405 , HF3404

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• One note: the bottom bullet, the Local Rural Highway Investment Program, or ELRIP, it is funded through
• Many of our local agencies didn't have all of this equipment, especially our smaller, more rural districts
• The Smith Creek Bridge in the middle, rural Benewah County, built in 1947.
• The Smith Creek Bridge in the middle, rural Benewah County, built in 1947.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker Pro Tem, Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs will meet in Hearing Room 3 in ten minutes.
• Speaker Pro Tem, Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs will meet in Hearing Room 3 in ten minutes.
• Representative Bliss will temporarily replace Representative Biasiucci on the Committee on Rural Economic
• Rural economic development. 2947 public school student. 2948 pricing coverage good.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Timothy Beger. Members also introduced several guests and groups in the gallery, including rare disease advocates, community leader Roberto Apodaca Revelez, Lucid Motors representatives, and a pediatrician visiting for Pediatrics Day at the Capitol. Attendance was recorded at 55 present, 0 absent, and 5 excused. In Committee of the Whole, the House considered HB 2022, HB 2122, and HB 2138. HB 2022, dealing with election procedures, was amended to extend the overseas military voter deadline fix and clarify that party observers may be present at all voting locations; it received a do pass recommendation. HB 2122, a technical reciprocity correction for engineers, also received a do pass recommendation. HB 2138, a cleanup bill clarifying that firefighters are covered under workers’ compensation alongside police officers, was amended and recommended do pass. On third reading, the House passed HB 2022 as an emergency measure by 56-0, HB 2046 on probation by 56-0, and HB 2116 appropriating $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund by 56-0. Members speaking on HB 2116 emphasized protecting Arizona’s Colorado River water rights and described the fund as a bipartisan effort. The chamber also heard commemorative remarks recognizing Notre Dame Prep’s hockey championship, proclaiming February 2 as Mexican American Heritage Day, and honoring Mary Green as an early Black pioneer in Arizona. After recess, the House received committee and first-reading reports, announced several temporary committee replacements, and then adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, thank you for the opportunity to share our support for House File 770, a bill to replenish the Rural
• Minnesota Farm Bureau supports funding for the Rural Finance Authority.
• industry and assist existing farmers in navigating financial hardship, ultimately contributing to rural
• just an investment in individual farms or farmers; it is an investment in the economic health of our rural

Transcript Highlights:

• Impact fees, I think we've heard some of these on this list already today, but impact fees.
• Impact fees, especially those around traffic impact fees specifically, can make costs rise dramatically
• Throughout our work with other developments, impact fees in general continue to come up.
• Impact fee waivers: I mentioned already waiving impact fees in Mountlake Terrace for child care facilities
• There’s a couple of fixes that could address this impact.

Summary: The committee held a work session on form-based codes, child care facility siting, and street standards/frontage improvements. On form-based codes, Commerce’s Dave Anderson explained that these codes emphasize building form, orientation, and the public realm more than traditional use and density tables, and that they are typically applied in specific districts rather than citywide or statewide. Lacey’s Vanessa Dolby described the city’s Woodland District code, developed through community charrettes, fiscal and market analysis, and subdistrict-specific standards to create a walkable downtown. She said the approach has helped produce a more desirable built environment and more flexibility in permitted uses, but also noted it can be less user-friendly for applicants and still requires some use restrictions; both presenters said a hybrid approach is often best. The committee then heard from DCYF and multiple providers about barriers to opening child care facilities. DCYF officials said Washington has more than 6,500 licensed providers and that a new pre-licensing support team is helping applicants navigate licensing, but local zoning, building, fire, parking, utility, and occupancy requirements still create delays and confusion. Testifiers described long permitting timelines, inconsistent local interpretations, costly upgrades, and utility hookup delays; one Yakima provider said county requirements, a floodplain-related elevation certificate, and a private well issue stopped her in-home child care proposal, while others described traffic impact fees, parking mandates, and zoning barriers that made projects infeasible. Enterprise Community Partners highlighted examples of successful local reforms, including fee waivers, expedited permitting, and zoning changes in several cities, and DCYF said it is working toward a 2026 action plan and a resource guide for providers. In the final section, planners and developers discussed how street standards and frontage improvement requirements can undermine infill and middle housing. Poulsbo’s planning manager said current standards were designed for greenfield subdivisions and often force costly curb, gutter, sidewalk, stormwater, and utility upgrades on small infill sites, sometimes adding tens of thousands of dollars and causing projects to be abandoned. A Seattle-based developer made similar points about small middle-housing projects being burdened by frontage work, curb ramps, buried standards, and EV-ready parking requirements that can trigger expensive undergrounding. Committee members asked about possible state-level changes, including whether child care should be treated as an essential public facility and whether parking requirements had already been reduced; one senator noted that minimum parking requirements for child care facilities were eliminated in prior legislation, with implementation phased in over the next few years.