Transcript Highlights:

• Very few states have divided legislators. I think at the time there were two.
• divided</c> Very few states have divided Very few states have divided legislators.<00:04:55.600><c> I
• </c> Minnesota and certainly in Washington Minnesota and certainly in Washington DC.
• In 2005, the state went into a partial government shutdown, and she thought that was it.
• In 2005, the state went into a term.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Both out of state and in state.
• in our state.
• agency after state agency after state agency after state agency after state agency.
• </c><02:36:08.000><c> after</c> state agency after state agency after state agency after state agency
• </c> state agency. state agency.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state and pass House File 3169.
• state and pass House File 3169.
• The state of Minnesota would be at the forefront of a growing proactive approach by state agencies to
• /c> applaud you if you do. uh the state of applaud you if you do. uh the state of Minnesota<00:06:43.919
• </c> growing proactive approach by state growing proactive approach by state agencies<00:06:48.319><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 542 will be referred to the State Affairs Committee.
• House Bill 542 will be referred to the State Affairs Committee.
• This is the annual presentation day by the Idaho State Historical Center.
• Garron Merrill, the Idaho State Historical Society has prepared... ...and E.
• Wanted to research about state government and know more about, please give him a call.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been done 27 times successfully in the history of the United States.
• So we'll start at the top and work. in the history of the United States.
• Senate Joint Memorial 109 proudly declares that the state, not Washington, should control its own elections
• Madam Chair, he stated that both were incorporated together.
• Madam Chair, he stated that both were incorporated together.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But you can’t use state resources to do it.
• You don’t only use state resources if they live in your area. Right.
• State historical events, holidays, or persons who are not current legislators.
• State, right?
• Hey, if you have to have it, you’re suing a state agency.

Summary: The Legislative Ethics Board approved the minutes from its September 8, 2025 meeting and reported that there were no employment disclosure forms. The board then discussed whether RCW 42.52.187(1) permits legislators to write letters of recommendation in a broader range of situations, including citizenship, clemency/pardon, immigration waivers, scholarships, and appointments. Members generally favored a broad reading for constituent-requested letters, while staff noted their existing advice had been narrower and suggested drafting an advisory opinion to clarify the definition and scope of “letter of recommendation.” The board also considered whether the statute’s reference to commemorations or celebrations of “persons who are not current legislators” allows use of state resources to recognize entities such as the Mariners or Seahawks. Members discussed whether “person” includes organizations under the Ethics Act’s definition, and the consensus leaned toward a plain-language reading that would allow posts about teams and other non-legislator entities, though some members suggested the language may need cleanup in the future. A third item addressed a previously retired advisory opinion concerning legislators who are attorneys and represent clients before state agencies. Staff proposed republishing or updating the opinion with current citations, but several members expressed concern that the old opinion could be read too narrowly or as implying legislators cannot do outside legal work involving agencies. The board agreed the issue needed more refinement and deferred further action to a future meeting. There was no public testimony beyond a brief check-in from Jerry Cornfield, and the meeting adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had Advocates come visit all over the state, just like that.
• We are not one of those states, and so the only way to have a... states, and so the only way to have
• The average for other state plans is $160.
• You know, well, go to Washington.
• You know, if everybody was equal across the state.

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our review, we were not able to definitively state why use of the preference had been so low.
• State why use of the preference had been so low.
• Again, because we weren't able to definitively state that the grant covers the entirety of the sales
• Box 40910, Olympia, Washington 98504. P.O. Box 40910, Olympia, Washington 98504.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on October 22, 2025. Members approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously and reviewed a draft 2026 meeting schedule, tentatively setting meetings for May 6, August 4, September 15, and October 20, 2026, without taking a formal vote. The commission then worked through its commissioner comments on tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself from the natural gas for transportation and energy sales to silicon smelters items. The discussion focused on reconciling endorse/endorse with comment/does not endorse positions into final recommendations. The commission adopted comments for the liquefied natural gas preference, the natural gas for transportation preference, the energy sales to silicon smelters preference, several low-income housing and veterans-related preferences, and other reviewed tax preferences. Several comments emphasized reporting burdens, the need for clearer legislative guidance, and in the veterans’ item, the possibility that low use may reflect limited visibility of the preference. Staff also clarified the reporting requirements for the natural gas transportation preference and the rationale for continuing the LNG preference while asking the legislature to consider a Department of Revenue workgroup report. All commissioner comment packages were ultimately adopted by roll call votes, with the relevant recusals noted. No members of the public testified in person. The chair invited written testimony by email or mail and thanked staff and members for their work. The next commission meeting was announced for May 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute House Bill 2236 concerns the State Housing Finance Commission.
• on certain tribal traditional cultural practices may not be construed to prevent the purchaser of state
• lands or valuable materials on state lands from being able to access those state lands or those valuable
• This helps all the families in the state of Washington who have seen their loved ones go to war and perhaps
• The chair recommends a no vote for the purposes stated by the good Representative Stearns.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee met in executive session on several bills before fiscal cutoff. Staff briefed Substitute House Bill 2236 on the State Housing Finance Commission, House Bill 2281 on state-tribal government-to-government relations, House Bill 2514 to establish a Global War on Terror memorial on the Capitol campus, and House Bill 2551 allowing certain school districts to sell real property under specified conditions. Staff also noted an updated fiscal note for HB 2281 showing a Department of Natural Resources estimate of about a $5 million per-biennium reduction in receipts due to reduced timber sales. HB 2236 was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation after members discussed whether it expanded the Housing Finance Commission’s authority; the vote was 10-6 with three excused. HB 2514 also passed out of committee, with members generally supporting recognition of veterans and families affected by war, though some objected to the bill’s title and framing; it passed 12-4 with three excused. HB 2551 drew more concern, with some members arguing school districts should not sell capital assets to cover operating costs and others noting local jurisdiction impacts; after additional discussion and reopening of the vote, it ultimately passed 10-8 with one excused. HB 2281 was considered with a proposed substitute and two amendments from Representative Walsh. Amendment H-203, intended to protect critical infrastructure projects, and amendment H-202, intended to preserve access related to timber and natural resource sales, were both rejected. Members supporting the bill said it was meant to protect free exercise of religion and tribal interests, while opponents raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the need for more stakeholder work. The substitute bill then passed out of committee 10-8 with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the State House.
• The state reps, the state senators, they're the ones that, you know, control how this flows through within
• the state.
• So if the company might be out of state, you have to go to that out-of-state company to be...
• Do you have to, so if the company might be out of state, you have to go to that out-of-state company

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name for the record.
• And with 28 states on board, the campaign is now just five states shy of 33.
• It is not delegated from the states, and the states cannot control it once it's limited.
• The states can't.
• That was changed from one state per, or one delegate per state, or one congressman per state, to several

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name.
• And with 28 states on board, the campaign is now just five states shy of 33.
• And with 28 states on board, the campaign is now just five states shy of 33.
• The states can't.
• That was changed from one state per, or one delegate per state, or one congressman per state, to several

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then heard House Concurrent Resolution 25, which would apply for an Article V convention limited to proposing a balanced budget amendment, with a seven-year sunset on Idaho’s application. Senator Ricks and supporter Lauren Enz argued that federal debt is unsustainable, Congress has failed to act, and the states should use Article V pressure to force a balanced budget amendment. Supporters said the resolution is narrowly limited, that ratification would still require 38 states, and that Idaho should join the 28 states already on board. Opponents, including representatives of the Idaho GOP and several private citizens, warned that an Article V convention could not be safely limited, could become a runaway convention, and would place the Constitution at risk. They argued Congress, not the states, controls the process once a convention is called, and that the real problem is federal overreach and failure to follow the Constitution rather than the need for a new amendment. Several speakers also said Idaho should not pursue a balanced budget amendment while relying heavily on federal funds. After public testimony and committee discussion, Senator Foreman moved to send HCR 25 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, seconded by Senator Ricks. The committee debated the risks of a convention versus the urgency of federal debt, then took a roll call vote. The motion failed 5-4, and HCR 25 was held in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's because we are state military and, of course, state funded.
• This provides great resources for the state, specifically because of your state military.
• It goes alongside state recognition to those..."
• Burial and state veterans cemeteries.
• The state should take care of us.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans heard a Department of Military Affairs presentation on bonding, tuition benefits, and cyber response. The department requested $3.5 million in design funding for a new hangar at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, citing safety problems with the aging 1950s-era hangars and the need to improve the wing’s competitiveness for future federal military construction funding. It also sought $2.5 million for asset preservation at Army facilities statewide, emphasizing that state dollars are often matched by federal funds. A National Guard lieutenant also testified about the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, describing how it helped pay for her undergraduate and doctoral education and reduce student debt. The committee also received an update on Minnesota National Guard cyber operations, including the response to the July 2025 ransomware attack on the City of Saint Paul. Testimony described the cyber coordination cell’s role in planning, interagency coordination, and support during the incident, including helping re-image about 500 computers and assisting with network recovery. Members heard that the Guard’s cyber teams conduct extensive partner engagement and are prepared to support state and local entities when civil resources are exhausted and the incident exceeds local capacity. Three bills were then heard and advanced. Senate File 4075, as amended, would implement recommendations from the task force on Special Guerrilla Unit and regular forces veterans from the Secret War in Laos, including eligibility and benefit changes; the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the full committee. Senate File 3956, as amended, would clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs may partner with veteran-serving organizations using nonmonetary resources to address food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention; it was also referred onward. Senate File 4056, as amended, would add veteran or military status as a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act; testimony supported the change, including concerns about service members losing educational opportunities while on state active duty, and the bill was passed to the full committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or State Parks is where this is going? State Parks. ...and recreation is where this is going?
• Or State Parks is where this is going? State Parks, yeah.
• the secretary of state...
• The bill states that they would designate and maintain a location within the state park system for the
• If the state parks as well...

Summary: The House Municipal Committee met and first advanced HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, which would extend existing lien/privilege authority for unpaid utility service charges and user fees to parishes, sewerage districts, and waterworks districts, including Jefferson Parish. Lyons explained it was intended to address master-metered multifamily properties and align Jefferson Parish with other parishes. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use inmate labor to cut grass at a private cemetery known as the Zachary Public Cemetery. Members raised concerns about using unpaid prison labor on private property, whether the cemetery was abandoned, and whether the bill should be narrowed. The author and city representative explained the city already contracts with DCI for inmate work and that the bill was meant to clarify legality. The motion to advance was withdrawn, and the bill was voluntarily deferred to a later meeting for further work. Several other bills were advanced, including HB 893 by Rep. Knox on the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, HB 1007 creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in Orleans Parish, and HB 1153 by Rep. Coates establishing a clearer local burn-ban framework with amendments on notice, lifting bans, and penalties. The committee also considered HB 1215 by Rep. Baham on the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments; after amendments and extensive questions about costs, coordination with the lieutenant governor’s office, and local zoning authority, the bill was voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 362 and HB 484 by Rep. Newell were handled, with HB 362 advanced and HB 484 deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment to the New Orleans Regional Business Park board. Several other bills and resolutions were announced as deferred or not heard, and the committee adjourned after scheduling a larger agenda for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge of allegiance to the flag of I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• Again, Judiciary Committee members, 10:00 Old State Library. Representative<00:20:39.600><c> Mabry.
• Uh 10:00 10:00 10:00 in<00:20:52.400><c> Old</c><00:20:52.720><c> State</c><00:20:52.960><c> Library,
• , depending on if in Old State Library, depending on if the<00:20:54.400><c> Senate's</c><00:20:54.720
• George Washington was a land surveyor. Thomas Jefferson was a land surveyor.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 4698, honoring the Iranian American community in Washington. Thank you.
• House Resolution 4698, honoring the Iranian American community in Washington, and House Resolution 4700

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The House convened, approved the previous day’s minutes, and adopted several honorary resolutions, including measures honoring Natalie Naomi Phelps, Navy personnel, Dr. Bernal Baca, the Iranian American community in Washington, and Billy Frank Jr. The chamber also received multiple messages from the Senate announcing passage of several bills, including Substitute Senate Bill 6603 and engrossed substitute Senate Bills 6, 6003, and 5998. The House handled routine procedural business by referring bills, memorials, and resolutions from the introduction sheet to the designated committees, and by moving House Bill 2711 on Transportation Resources and Senate Bill 6278 on Teacher and Principal Programs from the Rules Committee to the second reading calendar. Committee reports were also processed and referred as designated. The House additionally placed bills from the supplemental introduction sheet on the second reading calendar under suspension of the rules. No contested votes were recorded; actions were taken by unanimous consent. The House then adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28th.

Transcript Highlights:

• . - House Resolution 4698, honoring the Iranian American Community in Washington. Thank you.
• House Resolution 4698, honoring the Iranian American Community in Washington, and House Resolution 4700

Summary: The House opened by approving the previous day’s minutes and adopting several honorary resolutions, including measures honoring Natalie Naomi Phelps, Navy personnel, Dr. Bernal Baca, the Iranian American Community in Washington, and Billy Frank Jr. The chamber also received multiple messages from the Senate announcing passage of substitute or engrossed substitute bills, including Senate Bill 6603 and Senate Bill 5998, and a second engrossed substitute House bill. Members agreed to treat bills, memorials, and resolutions on the day’s introduction and supplemental introduction sheets as first reading items and refer them to the appropriate committees. The House also relieved the Rules Committee of House Bill 2711, concerning Transportation Resources, and Senate Bill 6278, concerning Teacher and Principal Programs, placing them on the second reading calendar. Committee reports were received and referred as designated. No objections were raised to the various consent actions, and the House adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28th, the 48th legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• SCORE grants help counties meet their state-mandated recycling goals.
• Seeing none, our next witness is Washington County Chair—well, the next person I have is Washington County
• only counties responsible for meeting the state mandates.
• The resources we currently have are not adequate to meet state goals.
• </c><00:37:19.440><c> in</c> question Senator um well as I stated in question Senator um well as I stated

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Washington: Thank you, Mr. President.
• The Senator from Washington has moved that the Senate Finance Committee be relieved of H. 727, an act
• to law related to transportation, being on the calendar for notice and affecting the revenue of the state
• We have H. 762 being on the calendar for notice and affecting the expenditures of the state under Rule
• under rule 31 expenditures of the state under rule 31 is<00:09:37.720><c> referred</c><00:09:38.040>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State Fair. I see Dan there. Alex, you're fired from the State Fair. We have another issue for me.
• rep for the area, state senator...
• We'd like to say that Washington State got Microsoft. We got a rock, but it's a nice rock.
• Every state has to have a state fair. Is it a boon or net plus for the neighborhoods around it?
• Kids aren't coming like they used to from around the state to the New Mexico State Fair.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all