Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:51.080><c> and</c> have to have the the the power and have to have the the the power and ability
• </c> that person has not been given the power that person has not been given the power to<00:04:13.159
• Sure, so from the aspect of is this a power grab by the legislature?
• So in my committee, we have the power to find a regulation deficient.
• We have the power to ask for a deferral.

Summary: The Licensing and Occupations committee met for its first meeting under Chair Rocky Adams, who opened by announcing a more flexible approach to committee procedure, including no egg timer, less emphasis on interim vetting, and a collaborative process with the House chair on amendments. The committee then took up its only agenda item, Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Senator Steve West, which would allow the Administrative Regulations Committee to conduct preliminary review of non-enacted regulations and require cabinet representatives to appear, provide information, and have authority to respond to deficiencies. West said the bill is intended to increase transparency earlier in the regulatory process and address past problems with cabinet participation. Members generally supported the bill and emphasized the importance of transparency and oversight in the regulatory process. Several questions focused on a possible notice requirement for committee review; West said the administration had requested five days’ notice, and he was open to that idea so long as no loopholes were created, including whether the same notice should apply to deferral requests. He also explained that the bill does not create strong enforcement teeth beyond existing committee powers to find a regulation deficient or request deferral, and that any stronger response would still come through separate legislation. Before the vote, members explained their support while noting concerns about notice and fairness. Senator Berg warned against surprise agenda changes and wanted a level playing field, while Senator Douglas said the bill would help constituents better understand regulations. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 23 with favorable expression and sent it to the Senate floor. The meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of our member cities is a member of the Clean Power Alliance, which is a joint powers authority
• And so we're hoping that with the Clean Power Alliance...
• And one of our member cities is a member of the Clean Power Alliance, which is a joint powers authority
• And so we're hoping that with the Clean Power Alliance... ...for other joint powers authorities, as you
• And one of our member cities is a member of the Clean Power Alliance, which is a joint powers authority

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard six bills. SB 828 by Senator Cabaldon would require fireworks license applicants to disclose storage locations and prove they have local permits, with the state fire marshal notifying local agencies when permits are denied or revoked. Supporters, including fire chiefs and fire marshals, said it would close dangerous enforcement gaps exposed by recent fireworks explosions; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 799 by Senator Allen would make technical and governance changes to the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, including more flexibility on board leadership and allowing non-elected alternates under certain conditions. Supporters said the changes would help the new housing trust function more effectively; questions focused on accountability for non-elected alternates, and the bill passed 6-0 to the Senate Floor. SB 762 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the city of Hercules to ask voters to approve up to a 1% sales tax increase to fund local services and infrastructure. Supporters said Hercules has limited revenue options, while some senators cautioned about how such measures are presented to voters; the bill passed 5-2 to the Senate Floor. SB 722 by Senator Wahab would add protections for mobile home residents from displacement tied to transit-oriented development and redevelopment, with supporters describing it as an urgent cleanup to protect vulnerable seniors, veterans, and low-income residents. There was broad support and no opposition, and it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 222 by Senator Wiener would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, with supporters arguing it would reduce costs and speed electrification, and opponents raising concerns about local control, fees, liability, and HOA authority. After extended debate, it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 677 by Senator Wiener would make technical clarifications to SB 79’s transit-oriented housing provisions; local government groups opposed or opposed unless amended, warning it could expand SB 79’s scope, but the bill passed 5-2 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are waiting for the governor to do that.
• What I forward to the governor today.
• </c> And now it's clear that the governor And now it's clear that the governor really<00:03:13.040><c
• </c> included uh the fact that the governor included uh the fact that the governor is<00:03:36.560><c
• </c><00:05:09.759><c> want,</c> opportunity should the governor want, opportunity should the governor

Transcript Highlights:

• There were real concerns about nuclear power, but I would say that's antiquated power and, you know,
• There were real concerns about nuclear power, but I would say that's antiquated power and, you know,
• and affordable power.
• I started my career at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory.
• And that was a monumental turning point for me, where I realized that nuclear power was going to power

Summary: The committee heard several bills and one resolution focused on recycling, housing affordability, air quality, coastal protection, wildfire resilience, and nuclear policy. AB 2559, by Assembly Member Ward, would require local governments to return refundable construction and demolition permit deposits if compliance documentation is submitted within three years of final inspection; supporters said it would prevent homeowners and developers from losing deposits due to mismatched local deadlines, and it passed unanimously as amended to Appropriations. AB 1704, by Assembly Member Gonzalez, would require CARB to assess the cost of lower-embodied-carbon building materials and pause the embodied-carbon program if cost parity is not reached; supporters framed it as a housing affordability safeguard, while environmental groups argued it would delay implementation of a key climate law. The bill passed on a party-line vote to Appropriations. AB 2349, by Assembly Member Solache, would create regional air quality incident response centers for emergency monitoring and coordination; it drew strong support from air district and local government representatives and passed unanimously to Appropriations. ACR 149, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy, highlighted coastal access, habitat protection, and climate adaptation; it passed the committee, though some members voted no. AB 1960, by Assembly Member Bennett, would let Cal Fire fund community-level wildfire hardening projects through the Wildfire Prevention Grants Fund; members raised questions about funding and implementation, but it passed to Appropriations. AB 2254, the Coastal Monarchs Protection Act, would require coastal local governments to add monarch overwintering protections when updating local coastal plans; supporters cited steep monarch declines and economic benefits, while local government groups opposed the mandate as duplicative and burdensome, and it passed to Water, Parks and Wildlife. AB 2253 would restrict deceptive recycled-content claims and mass-balance accounting practices; supporters said it would protect consumers and real recyclers, while business groups argued it would conflict with recognized accounting systems and EPR programs. The transcript also included AB 1757, which would create a limited carve-out from California’s nuclear moratorium for microreactors; supporters said it could provide clean, local power and support data centers, while opponents warned of cost, waste, and safety risks. The committee ultimately rejected AB 1757 on a divided vote, then granted reconsideration, and the discussion continued without a final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were real concerns about nuclear power, but I would say that's antiquated power and, you know,
• and affordable power.
• I started my career at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory.
• Navy's aircraft carriers and submarines that are powered by nuclear.
• ..where I realized that nuclear power was going to power this behemoth of a ship and defend my country

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• costs for running shore power programs.
• So what is shore power?
• So what is shore power?
• They show what emissions would look like with no shore power, with the current adoption of shore power
• is the power usage?

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from WSDOT on balancing uncertainty in capital program estimates and cash flow management. WSDOT explained the differences between design-bid-build and design-build delivery, its tiered risk-assessment process by project size, and how it uses base estimates, inflation, and risk modeling to set budgets. Staff said design-bid-build estimates are generally accurate within about 1% across the program, while design-build projects carry much wider uncertainty and are better communicated as ranges; they cited a P85 budget approach and noted that large, complex projects can be affected by market competition and long procurement timelines. Members asked about the Columbia River Bridge cost growth and about value engineering, and WSDOT said it uses value engineering but has limited scope to cut costs because of project requirements and policy mandates. Troy Swing also discussed cash flow, noting that a few large projects can significantly affect biennial funding needs, and said a risk pool would not reduce overall program risk but could help manage timing if paired with appropriation and cash-flow controls. The committee then received the final presentation in the WSDOT Project Delivery and Innovative Practices study from HKA Global. The consultant said WSDOT’s estimating practices are generally robust and recommended improving transparency by presenting budget authorizations as ranges or estimate classes, better tracking estimate growth over time, and adjusting advertisement timing to avoid competing lettings. The report also discussed surety bonding, suggesting the legislature consider restoring authority for reduced bonding on select large design-build projects or using phased bonding and alternative securities. On indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting, the consultant said current job order contract rules are restrictive and recommended legislative changes to make such tools more usable, especially for smaller tasks and to help use unspent funds more flexibly. The committee also heard a follow-up presentation on transit-oriented development policy recommendations tied to HB 1491. The Urban Institute’s Yona Freemark said Washington has been a national leader on TOD but that housing construction, especially in the Puget Sound, has slowed sharply since 2022. He said rising construction costs, high financing costs, and local tax and rent conditions are making many TOD projects infeasible, and recommended that the state fill infrastructure funding gaps around stations, revisit MFTE affordability requirements, consider minimum rather than average density requirements near transit, and create a statewide system to track TOD outcomes such as affordability, gentrification, and transit access. Members questioned the study’s developer interviews, the role of rent control and crime, property tax assumptions, and parking needs; the presenter said the study included five private developers, that rent control was not part of the study scope, and that parking was included in the model assumptions. Finally, the committee began a presentation on regulating emissions from ocean-going vessels at berth. Staff and consultants described California-style at-berth rules, which require shore power or equivalent emissions controls so ships can shut off diesel auxiliary engines while docked. The study is examining vessel traffic, emissions reductions, implementation costs, labor and operational needs, and possible effects on port competitiveness and cargo diversion. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are waiting for the governor to do that.
• What I forward to the governor today.
• Again, the governor is the only work.
• </c> And now it's clear that the governor And now it's clear that the governor really<00:03:35.920><c
• </c> included uh the fact that the governor included uh the fact that the governor is<00:03:59.439><c

Transcript Highlights:

• There's still a 30% federal tax credit for stationary fuel cells for power generation and backup power
• You've heard a bit of the power sector is a big part.
• to shore power vessels and to power electric dredging.
• You can convert it into power, the power will cost less than five cents per kilowatt hour.
• Okay, good afternoon everyone, my name You can convert it into power; the power will cost less than five

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy held an informational hearing on California’s hydrogen leadership, with the chair framing hydrogen as a complementary clean-energy pathway for hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy-duty trucking, transit, rail, ports, industrial uses, and backup power. The first panel of private-sector witnesses from the California Hydrogen Business Council, Bosch, Hyundai, and Sierra Northern Railway described existing deployments in California, including hydrogen buses, trucks, fueling infrastructure, and the nation’s first hydrogen fuel cell switcher locomotive. They emphasized that the technology is commercially ready but scaling is constrained by permitting delays, high fuel and equipment costs, infrastructure gaps, and uncertainty around federal support and incentives. Witnesses urged stable state policy, targeted investment, and concentrated deployment in high-impact corridors such as ports and freight hubs. Committee members also asked about labor standards, community engagement, and the current size of the hydrogen vehicle fleet in California and abroad. The second panel focused on air quality, climate, safety, and public health. Testimony from CAPCOA, the Coalition for Clean Air, the California State Building and Construction Trades Council, and a UC Berkeley researcher argued that hydrogen fuel cells can reduce diesel-related pollution and health harms when used in the right applications, especially in ports, rail yards, warehouse corridors, transit depots, and backup power for facilities like data centers. Witnesses cautioned that hydrogen should be used selectively, produced as cleanly as possible, and paired with early community engagement, safety planning, and environmental justice protections. The researcher cited projected reductions in NOx, particulate exposure, premature deaths, and health costs under broader hydrogen adoption. Committee members discussed workforce training, apprenticeship programs, and how to balance near-term costs with long-term infrastructure value. The final panel provided public-sector updates from SamTrans, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Port of Long Beach, and First Public Hydrogen Authority. SamTrans described its transition to a large hydrogen bus fleet and said the loss of expected ARCHES funding created a major infrastructure gap; it asked the state to protect transit funding, restore a sales tax exemption for zero-emission buses, and address axle-weight rules. GoBiz said the state should focus on creating demand, reducing costs, and streamlining permitting, while acknowledging the disruption caused by the federal cancellation of ARCHES funding. The Port of Long Beach reported hydrogen truck deployments, port incentives, and a planned public fueling station, but said high costs, fuel shortages, and uncertainty have slowed momentum. First Public Hydrogen Authority described efforts to aggregate municipal demand and support new green hydrogen production projects, stressing the need for long-term market signals and financing. Committee members repeatedly emphasized the need for state support, infrastructure investment, and a diversified fuel strategy to keep hydrogen deployment moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the general manager for the Glenco Light and Power Commission in Glenco, Minnesota.
• Glenolite and Power Commission in Glenco,<00:04:24.000><c> Minnesota.
• </c> utility that the Glenco light and power utility that the Glenco light and power does.<00:08:08.800
• So we calculate a power cost customers?
• cost</c> artificially buy down that power cost artificially buy down that power cost adjustment<00:14

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor has said that this is a budget discussion, and the governor wants to negotiate with the
• I, along with the current governor and previous governor, view tax cuts as part of budget negotiations
• Hobbs' budget, or Governor Hobbs' department issued.
• But generally, when the Speaker and the Senate President write a letter to the governor, the governor
• I keep hearing people talk about the governor this, the governor that.

Bills: HB2011 , HB2089 , HB2090 , HB2092 , HB2477 , HB2785

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: individual income tax, subtraction, Arizona Revised Statutes, retirement benefits, adoption costs, charitable contributions, health insurance, premium payment, Arizona State Retirement System, contingent annuitant, long-term disability, benefits limitations, disability compensation, social security, retirement system, elected officials, ASRS, eligibility waiver, age 65, education savings

Transcript Highlights:

• President, to talk about how each branch of government is necessarily vested with some power that is
• </c><00:35:45.720><c> to</c> expelling a member has the power to expelling a member has the power to
• President, in Mason's that this power is absolute.
• </c><00:43:48.920><c> is</c> this power is this power is absolute<00:43:50.800><c> and</c><00:43:50.920
• </c><00:43:59.200><c> is</c> individuals with whom this power is individuals with whom this power is

Transcript Highlights:

• During charged backup power in the home.
• equipment rather than a self-powered copper network.
• </c> equipment. rather than a self-powered equipment. rather than a self-powered copper<00:27:18.480>
• </c> about service changes, backup power about service changes, backup power needs,<00:27:50.320><c>
• We uh due to lack of backup power.

Transcript Highlights:

• He later worked as a press assistant to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.
• </c><03:33:16.560><c> idea</c> reflects that simple but powerful idea reflects that simple but powerful
• </c> words of Frederick Douglas, power words of Frederick Douglas, power conceds<05:29:18.638><c> nothing
• to China or any other not seed power to China or any other world<05:29:28.638><c> power</c><05:29:29.280
• I urge this vital soft power tool.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we're way behind the power curb.
• Most of them do a great job, but it comes to power.
• And I think sometimes power goes to people's heads.
• I want to make sure that giving this power and use of data means that there's no abuse of power, no abuse
• It's not a power trip thing. It's not a personality. It's not a power trip thing.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• In contrast to a city, which derives its powers from enacted regulations from the state, a tribe's power
• And tribes also have public health powers. So, within the Tribes also have public health powers.
• Constitution and the doctrine of implied powers.
• And tribes also have public health powers. So, within the Tribes also have public health powers.
• Constitution and the doctrine of implied powers.

Summary: The House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a field hearing on the Puyallup Reservation, where members first received an overview of sports betting in Washington. Tribal casino representatives and the Washington State Gambling Commission explained that sports betting became legal in 2020 under HB 2638 and is currently limited to tribal casinos through sportsbook, kiosk, and on-premise mobile wagering. Testimony covered how odds are set, compliance with federal anti-money-laundering rules, and the role of third-party vendors. Tribal representatives said sports betting supports tribal economic development and asked to expand betting to include Washington college teams, while warning that prediction markets and other unregulated products pose a threat. Committee members asked about geo-fencing, betting limits, in-state college betting restrictions, and regulatory oversight. No votes were taken. The committee then heard from Vicki Lowe of the American Indian Health Commission on tribal data sovereignty and health data. She described tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility, and said tribes should have equitable access to their own health data and control over how it is used. She explained that during COVID, tribes often lacked direct access to state health data, which complicated case tracing and other public health work. Lowe said the Department of Health stopped collecting tribal affiliation in some contexts because of Public Records Act concerns, and she argued that this is inconsistent with tribal data-sharing principles adopted through the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council. Members asked for clarification about what counts as tribal data and how public records concerns affected data collection. No formal action was taken. Finally, Lucy Smartlut gave an update on the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force. She reported on the task force’s structure, its extension through 2027, and progress on recommendations including a fully funded cold case investigation unit in the Attorney General’s office, an updated missing persons resource, and forensic genetic genealogy work on unidentified remains. She said the cold case unit has active investigations, has helped locate missing Indigenous people, and made its first homicide arrest. She also presented data showing Native people are disproportionately represented among homicide and missing persons cases, and noted survey findings that many law enforcement agencies rely on officer observation for race data and have limited consultation with tribes. Committee members asked about funding, interagency coordination, and whether the task force is shifting toward prevention. The presenter said sustainability, continued awareness, and stronger collaboration remain priorities, and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The powerful aspect of this new era of accelerated discovery, powered by what I like to summarize as
• Looking specifically at dispatchable and baseload sources of power.
• And we have to do everything in our power to protect it.
• For both of you, the power to rescind obligated funds rests with Congress.
• Obviously Congress has the power of the purse.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation

Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hydrogen-powered buses are operating today in California transit fleets.
• There's still a 30% federal tax credit for stationary fuel cells for power generation and backup power
• You've heard a bit of the power sector is a big part.
• to shore power vessels and to power electric dredging.
• You can convert it into power; the power will cost less than five cents per kilowatt hour.

Transcript Highlights:

• That chapter, chapter three, we call it, was just signed by the governor not too long ago.
• </c> is just was just signed by the governor is just was just signed by the governor not<01:39:53.800
• Our schooling system was a lot simpler back in the day, and it allowed us to become a world power in
• Very good information. us to become us to become a<02:40:14.560><c> world</c><02:40:15.040><c> power<
• /c> a world power a world power in<02:40:16.840><c> 200</c><02:40:17.320><c> years.

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• of</c><02:30:02.240><c> uh</c><02:30:02.960><c> the</c><02:30:03.120><c> the</c><02:30:03.520><c> power
• </c><02:30:03.840><c> ball</c> period of of uh the the power ball period of of uh the the power ball
• So I have put data together for John Hicks and for the governor on this topic, and I have looked, you
• on this topic and I have looked governor on this topic and I have looked you<03:07:05.439><c> know</
• The governor issued an executive order to freeze the rate.

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor of New York vetoed the bill based on the litigation in Maryland.
• </c><00:39:54.320><c> The</c><00:39:54.480><c> governor</c><00:39:54.720><c> of</c><00:39:54.880><c>
• Our on-site solar electricity has a power purchase agreement of 15 years.
• Our on-site solar electricity<01:34:14.400><c> has</c><01:34:14.560><c> a</c><01:34:14.800><c> power<
• /c><01:34:15.040><c> purchase</c> electricity has a power purchase electricity has a power purchase agreement

Bills: HF3698 , HF3067 , HF3730

Committee: House Education Policy