Transcript Highlights:

• Inflated commissary prices force additional expenses on already vulnerable Californian families.
• bottle of shampoo priced at $6.96, seven days to pay for a six-ounce jar of peanut butter priced at
• $6.67, and 18 days to save up enough for an eight-ounce jar of instant coffee priced at $18.
• In Fernando's words, the current absence of limits on commissary prices means we have to depend on our
• Estimates show about 41 percent of kids who end up in juvenile hall are there for nonviolent offenses

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The procurement of materials takes longer, which actually leads to increases in pricing.
• Our National Association releases a priced-out data point annually.
• In Washington, for every $1,000 increase in the median price of a home, almost 2,000 households are priced
• And we're already in a very price-constrained market.
• We estimate this can save 50% on the current permitting process.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we think that we estimated that this could result in an up to $10 million gap up. that we estimated
• has put a real damper on growth in house prices.
• They pre-qualify, they look for a home in their price range.
• This was a moderate-priced home.
• And I do know the median home price in Seattle is $900,000.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard a series of work-session presentations focused on transit-oriented development, commercial-to-residential redevelopment, building code implementation, housing market trends, and the Covenant Homeownership Program. The first presentation, from the Urban Institute, reviewed research on HB 1491 and TOD feasibility, arguing that Washington has made major progress but faces diverging conditions across transit areas. The presenter said rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and lower rents in some markets have made many projects less feasible, and recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market communities, adjustments to MFTE and affordability requirements by local market conditions, more support for very low-income housing in high-market transit areas, minimum density standards near stations, expanded public land/joint development tools, and better tracking of TOD outcomes over time. Committee members asked about AMI calculations, immigration’s effect on construction labor, developer input, and whether a tracking mechanism had been removed from the bill. The Department of Commerce then outlined implementation of HB 1491 and demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, which is live and intended to help visualize zoning, overlays, and station-area conditions. Commerce said local governments will designate station areas, update zoning and MFTE policies, and handle anti-displacement measures, with Vancouver and Spokane first to implement and Puget Sound following later. Staff described a timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking on variances. The committee also heard from the Lieutenant Governor’s office on a report about converting commercial properties to housing, which found substantial potential for redevelopment on vacant or underused commercial land, especially near transit, but noted barriers such as ground-floor retail mandates, affordability requirements, infrastructure costs, private covenants, and slow implementation. The office urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster rollout of new housing laws. The State Building Code Council updated the committee on its three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed actions, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, and especially single-exit stairs and multiplex housing. Council staff said those code changes are nearing completion and will provide prescriptive solutions, while noting that elevator size and requirements were not changed and would require separate legislative direction if the committee wanted to revisit them. Members discussed the cost impacts of building and energy codes and the council said it is required to consider economic impacts and is increasingly looking at performance-based approaches. Later, the Washington Center for Real Estate Research presented its annual housing report, showing that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced affordability, flattened house prices in many cities, and slowed single-family permitting and completions, while multifamily construction has recently cooled after a prior surge. Finally, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission reported strong first-year results for the Covenant Homeownership Program, which provides zero-interest down payment assistance to eligible first-time buyers with family ties to Washington before 1968; the program assisted 547 homebuyers in its first fiscal year, with more than $60 million loaned, and the agency said participation has continued to grow after income-limit changes enacted in 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN REGARDS TO SALES TAX THE BILL PERMANENTLY EXEMPTS CERTAIN CLOTHING AND SHOES WITH A SALES PRICE OF
• SENATORS, THE TOTAL TAX SAVINGS FOR FLORIDA'S FAMILIES INCLUDE THE BILL ESTIMATED BY STAFF TO REDUCE
• WHICH IS A SUM OF $946.8 MILLION IN RECURRING REVENUES ESTIMATED BY STAFF TO REDUCE REVENUES IN TOTAL
• CHAIRMAN, WITH REGARDS TO THAT I WILL TELL YOU FOR ANYONE THAT HAS HUNTED BEFORE, PRICE CERTAINLY THE
• PRICE OF SOME OF THESE ITEMS FLUCTUATES.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, in the mid-2000s, oil and propane dropped in price.
• </c> mid2 Oil and Propane dropped in price mid2 Oil and Propane dropped in price that<00:50:28.799><c
• > price</c><00:50:29.480><c> differential</c><00:50:30.480><c> drives</c> that price differential drives
• </c> btu propane depending on what the price btu propane depending on what the price is<00:56:21.720>
• </c> dyamics and wreck prices dyamics and wreck prices but<00:59:29.160><c> in</c><00:59:29.400><c> general

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• In my estimation, keeping kids safe shouldn't be optional.
• It's a step in the right direction, in my estimation.
• This would allow us to charge everybody the same price for the same drug.
• Our job is not to share in the profits of rebates or pricing.
• That's my estimate, and their insurance rates.

Bills: AB52 , AB76 , AB163 , AB388 , AB483

Committee: Assembly Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• But then they can get around it and basically hike up the price because all of a sudden you don't have
• Thank you. basically hike up the price because all basically hike up the price because all of<00:14:58.440
• </c><00:26:20.360><c> cost</c><00:26:20.640><c> to</c> weight list the estimated cost to weight list
• So the Chair is inclined to prioritize units priced at the minimum level to be revenue neutral.
• inclined to prioritize units priced at inclined to prioritize units priced at the<01:09:21.279><c> minimum

Summary: The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096. The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note from 2025 estimates no fiscal impact.
• A fiscal note is available and estimates a cost of $64,000 for OSPI to develop model forms, technical
• This bill enables districts to secure materials earlier, lock in their pricing sooner, and avoid that
• OSPI estimates a cost of $4,000 for fiscal year 2027.
• It estimates no fiscal impact for school districts. There are no amendments. Any questions for Ivy?

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several House education bills. HB 1796 would allow school districts, under existing debt limits and with voter-approved capital levies, to issue non-voted bonds for certain new construction projects. The sponsor and school district witnesses said it would let districts front-fund projects, speed construction, and reduce inflation-related costs; a member of the public opposed it as bypassing voters. HB 2317 would exempt school-day ECEAP and Head Start programs located in public school or community/technical college buildings from child care licensing. The sponsor and providers said the current licensing process is duplicative, delays services, and creates barriers to expanding early learning; no opposition was heard. The committee also heard HB 2594, which would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections in state law, require OSPI planning and reporting, and reinforce district responsibilities for students experiencing homelessness. The sponsor gave personal testimony about experiencing homelessness as a student, and advocates said the bill would improve coordination and accountability at no added cost. For HB 2557, which requires school districts to give parents a copy of special education evaluation reports by the 35th school day and hold the eligibility meeting at least five school days later, the sponsor said it would give families time to review reports; school psychologists and OSPI supported the substitute version, while some advocates asked for shorter timelines and clearer waiver language. After the hearings, the committee moved to executive session and advanced two bills: Substitute HB 2360, allowing schools to maintain and use stock albuterol under specified conditions, and Engrossed Substitute HB 2534, updating requirements for military families’ enrollment, records transfer, and related services. Both bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to Rules, with no recorded opposition in the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> shown on the revenue estimate. shown on the revenue estimate.
• </c> Madam Chair, uh here are the estimated Madam Chair, uh here are the estimated costs<00:54:55.359
• All you have to do is look at the revenue estimates.
• All you have to do is look at the revenue estimates.
• </c> bill at a price of2 $2 billion. bill at a price of2 $2 billion.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• This chart shows you an estimate of how that money is spent.
• So it's difficult to work on something with such a high price tag.
• Thirty-five thousand dollars a year per child and the price is going to go up.
• balances or the actual and estimated balances.
• And the estimated growth from our Consensus Revenue Estimating Group that works with LFC economists and

Bills: SB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Parks and Recreation estimates that more than 4 million Californians engage in boating
• The Department of Parks and Recreation estimates that more than 4 million Californians engage in boating
• The Division of Boating and Waterways estimates that Californians own approximately 2.6 million registered
• Unlike the passenger vehicle market, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles lack publicly available pricing
• prices for all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles receiving public subsidies in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• applying percentages and coming up with an estimate.
• The response was that new schools estimated to open in FY 26 are included, using best-guess estimates
• open FY 26 that would include estimated open FY 26 that would include our<01:37:08.920><c> estimates
• </c> our estimates our best guess estimates our estimates our best guess estimates working<01:37:11.000
• </c><01:37:30.000><c> for</c> estimates as well so our estimates for estimates as well so our estimates

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of School Finance provided an adequacy-funding training for Division II, led by Mark Mello. He walked the committee through the adequacy formula using Albany, Allenstown, and Alton as examples, explaining average daily membership, base adequacy aid, and differential aid for free/reduced-price meals, special education, and English language learners. He also noted a recent change requiring home-education differential aid and emphasized that these aid streams are generally unrestricted district funding rather than money tied to specific students or programs. A major focus was the ongoing litigation over the adequacy base amount and the statewide education property tax, or SWEPT. Mello explained the historical basis of the current base amount, the 2008 legislative report that set the original methodology, and the later court ruling that the adequacy amount should be $7,356, which is now before the Supreme Court. He also described how SWEPT currently raises a fixed statewide amount of $363 million and how that revenue is used to offset the state’s adequacy obligation. For the example towns, Albany and Allenstown receive state adequacy grants because their SWEPT revenue is below their calculated adequacy cost, while Alton is an excess SWEPT community because its local SWEPT revenue exceeds the cost of adequate education. The discussion then turned to the pending “excess SWEPT” issue in the Supreme Court and what would happen if excess collections had to be remitted to the state. Mello said the Department is preparing a hypothetical walkthrough and explained that, if the court upholds the Superior Court ruling, DRA would likely be directed to collect excess SWEPT. Members raised concerns about whether SWEPT must be used for educational purposes and about the cash-flow burden on towns if money had to move from municipalities to the state and then back to districts. Mello and members discussed possible administrative workarounds, such as credits against other state aid distributions, and noted that the committee would continue reviewing the mechanics if the court decision comes down during budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So prices are increasing, the poverty threshold to qualify is decreasing.
• So prices are increasing, the poverty threshold to qualify is decreasing.
• </c><00:31:14.200><c> a</c> was proposed in 2023, um we estimated a was proposed in 2023, um we estimated
• And my demographic, with the high utility prices, high fuel prices, where transportation's our number
• </c> prices, high fuel prices, where prices, high fuel prices, where transportation's<00:50:19.600><c

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that's 2024 estimates had been.
• So that might be a revenue estimates.
• </c> have a re revenue estimate forthcoming. have a re revenue estimate forthcoming.
• You don't price gouging in Hawaii.
• ,</c> deduction, internal transfer pricing, deduction, internal transfer pricing, all<02:40:15.200><c

Bills: HB2118 , HB2473

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The total for all of those projects was $10.5 million in grants, and we estimated savings of upwards
• With all of our projects, we ask for a low-end and high-end projection on how much a project is estimated
• What is an average price to get a cesspool remediated and replaced?
• Average price will depend on the amount of land you have.
• So average price is anywhere from... ...$20,000 to $30,000.

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water heard three bills related to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) and water conservation funding. HB 2029 would require grant applicants to provide additional information about how water-conservation grant funds will be used, including expected long-term water savings, efficiency improvements, or reliability benefits. WIFA testified neutral, saying most of the information is already collected in agency policy and that the program is voluntary and reimbursement-based. The bill passed 9-1 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2030 would remove education and research programs from the list of allowable uses for the water conservation grant fund. Committee discussion focused on how much funding had gone to education/research projects and whether those projects still produced meaningful water savings. WIFA said about 15 projects with education or research components received roughly $10.5 million and were associated with an estimated 180,000 acre-feet in savings, though those savings were projections and the projects were not purely educational. Several members opposed removing those categories, but the bill passed 6-4 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2096 would expand WIFA financing to include remediation, closure, or replacement of cesspools that threaten groundwater, surface water, or public health, and would allow counties to use revolving-fund financing and income-based assistance for such projects. County and association witnesses supported the bill, describing the public health risks of aging cesspools and the need to help homeowners afford replacement systems; ADEQ was neutral. WIFA said the bill clarifies county authority to enter loans for this purpose and noted the funding would come from existing federal revolving-fund resources. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0, with a due pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen asphalt prices from early in the 2000s...
• Asphalt prices from early in the 2000s were about $27 a ton in place.
• The current price is $100 a ton. Massive increases over the same time period.
• We're seeing a big spike in asphalt prices, and unless we see additional funds coming in... ...a big
• The current expenses to address this situation are estimated...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held its first hearing of the session on H. 53, Governor Healey’s Chapter 90 proposal to increase state funding for municipal roads, bridges, sidewalks, and culverts. Committee chairs outlined the hybrid hearing process and invited testimony from municipal officials, labor groups, regional planning organizations, contractors, and administration officials. Across the hearing, speakers consistently supported the bill, emphasizing long-deferred maintenance, inflation in construction costs, climate-related flooding, and the need for more predictable, multi-year funding so cities and towns can plan projects and take advantage of the construction season. The administration described H. 53 as part of a broader $8 billion transportation package, proposing to raise annual Chapter 90 funding from $200 million to $300 million for five years, with the additional $100 million distributed by road mileage to better support rural and small communities. They also highlighted $200 million for culverts and small bridges, plus other transportation investments, and said the five-year authorization would provide certainty for municipal capital planning. Municipal witnesses from places including Carlisle, Beverly, Granby, Hatfield, Newton, Nahant, Gardner, Beckett, and Yarmouth described local road and culvert backlogs, rising asphalt costs, and the difficulty of maintaining infrastructure on limited local budgets. Labor and industry witnesses from the AFL-CIO and MAPA said the bill would support good-paying jobs and provide stability for contractors and producers. The MBTA Advisory Board and regional planning representatives also backed the proposal, noting the connection between local roads and the broader transportation system. Committee members asked questions about the road-mile formula, culvert needs, asphalt costs, and the rationale for a five-year authorization. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page two, the bill says the price shall not exceed 15 percent.
• And we do everything we can to make our prices competitive and keep people who are blind or visually
• It would force competition, get the state better prices in theory if it works that way.
• This is what, if you want to be competitive, you have to basically lower your price to this price point
• So you would be required to ask, but if the product or the price doesn't fit, then you're not required

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on April 7, 2026, with a quorum present. After housekeeping and announcements, the committee noted several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 603, HB 619, HB 763, HB 810, HB 222, HB 490, and HB 981. The committee also recognized a visiting Jack and Jill group before taking up legislation. The committee reported favorably HB 82 on DWI penalties, HB 670 on wood pellet manufacturing, HB 672 on brick manufacturing, HB 773 on state procurement preferences for prison enterprises and nonprofits serving blind, disabled, and veteran workers, HB 145 on extraordinary medical and dental expenses for injured police and firefighters, HB 430 on health insurance coverage for families of Lafayette Parish officers killed in the line of duty, HB 143 on the per diem for housing state inmates in parish jails, HB 874 on adding credentials to LA Wallet, HB 160 on penalties for domestic violence strangulation offenses, HB 445 on moving the STEM Advisory Council to Louisiana Works, and HB 781 on fleet vehicle registration. HB 82, HB 670, and HB 773 were amended before passage; HB 430 also received amendments narrowing coverage terms and age limits. Most of the discussion centered on fiscal impact and policy scope. Members questioned whether several bills created new costs or unfunded mandates, and sponsors repeatedly emphasized zero or already-budgeted fiscal notes. HB 773 drew the most debate, with members raising concerns about competition, preferential treatment, and the shift from a 15% cap to fair market value; the sponsor said the bill was intended to give blind, disabled, and veteran-serving nonprofits a fair chance to compete. HB 145 prompted questions from the Louisiana Municipal Association about exposure and whether the benefit should already be covered by workers’ compensation, while HB 430 was narrowed to Lafayette Parish after concerns about statewide costs. The meeting ended with all remaining bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Newsom administration originally estimated that between 7,000 and 12,000 people would qualify for
• As I mentioned at the beginning, the estimate was that it would serve between 7,000 and 12,000 people
• Vegas has a major pharmacy that they provide products to their members at a significant reduction price
• At the same time, this bill was estimated to increase premiums by $28 million.
• And we know the estimate of 1.3 million to 3 million Californians are going to be hurt.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and Senator Groh, we do not have any pricing or costs. It's just one solution.
• Madam Chair and Senator Groh, we do not have any, like, pricing or costs. It's just one solution.
• You know, these are price sensitive for folks that are putting children there.
• Those estimates will help inform future discussions and planning.
• Those estimates will help inform future discussions and planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, I was participating very directly in the actuarial process that was trying to estimate
• Next is your estimated NGFO revenues, which are included.
• Estimated costs for the next ensuing biennium do not include the costs of future legislation not yet
• Those are monies estimated to be appropriated, but unspent.
• and falls in oil prices, etc., and that tends to increase volatility.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory charge under the 2026 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the committee is tasked with studying budget transparency and fiscal sustainability in two phases: first, revenue growth, spending assumptions, statutory cost drivers, and carryforward/maintenance levels; and later, staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting tools. The committee also discussed its goals, with members emphasizing a shared factual understanding of Washington’s fiscal situation, the causes of projected structural deficits, and possible paths to a more sustainable operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed operating budget basics presentation. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, explaining that most spending is concentrated in grants and client services, salaries and benefits, and goods and services, with K-12 education, DSHS, the Health Care Authority, DCYF, corrections, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They also walked through the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending; the role of caseload and per-capita forecasts; how maintenance level and policy level budgets are built; and how the four-year outlook works, including revenue forecasts, reversions, budget stabilization account reserves, and the official outlook adoption process. Members asked several questions about what is or is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care inflation, court-ordered liabilities, and whether the budget could better separate mandatory from discretionary spending over time. Staff said some of those questions would require follow-up and noted the existence of an outlook accuracy report. The committee then heard from Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts, who introduced Pew’s state fiscal work and its role as the nonprofit partner supporting the committee. He said Pew would help analyze long-term fiscal sustainability, reserve policies, recession preparedness, and practices from other states, and would draw on its 50-state data and subject-matter experts. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported at this meeting.