Transcript Highlights:

• If you can come up, I think there’s some folks remote as well.
• Thanks for your testimony. Interesting stuff.
• I believe one will be remote, one will be in person.
• I believe one will be remote, one will be in person.
• All right, we will move straight into testimony. Great, thank you.

Summary: On January 20, 2026, the committee held public hearings on House Bill 2102, House Bill 2161, and House Bill 2332. HB 2102 would sharply limit legal financial obligations by prohibiting courts from imposing costs unless specifically authorized by statute, repealing many fees and interest on restitution, and making eliminated debts unenforceable and satisfied. The sponsor and supporters argued that LFOs are harmful, inconsistently applied, and create uncollectable debt that burdens indigent defendants and hinders reentry. Opponents, including local government and collections representatives, warned the bill would shift costs to cities and counties, reduce accountability tools, and could cost local jurisdictions millions. No vote was taken. HB 2161 would expand the Attorney General’s authority to issue civil investigative demands for possible violations involving civil rights, labor standards, jail standards, immigration-related restrictions, and police use-of-force laws. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office, labor groups, and civil rights advocates said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases, while not changing substantive enforcement authority. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and business groups argued the bill was overbroad, lacked sufficient standards, and could create due process, confidentiality, and separation-of-powers concerns. Members asked about safeguards, and staff and the AGO described court challenge procedures and internal review standards. No action was taken. HB 2332 would regulate automated license plate readers used by state and local agencies, generally limiting use to specified law enforcement, parking, toll, and transportation purposes, restricting sharing and retention, and prohibiting uses tied to immigration enforcement or protected health care. The sponsor and privacy, immigrant-rights, and reproductive-rights advocates said the bill was needed to prevent misuse of sensitive location data and to close loopholes that could allow out-of-state or federal access. Law enforcement, cities, vendors, and some business and campus representatives supported privacy guardrails but said the 72-hour retention limit, warrant requirements, and other restrictions were too strict and could hinder investigations, victim recovery, and parking enforcement. The hearing ended with testimony still underway and no vote or final action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> search may be done remotely search may be done remotely um<00:04:31.080><c> so</c><00:04:31.320>
• </c><00:26:23.399><c> okay</c> us your two minutes a testimony okay us your two minutes a testimony okay
• </c><00:28:57.880><c> well</c> gives you two minutes of testimony well gives you two minutes of testimony
• Thank you so much for your testimony. Thank you for being here.
• We appreciate your testimony, and if you want to provide any other written testimony, you are certainly

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate the testimony.
• Thank you so much for the testimony.
• Chair: Thank you so much for the testimony.
• I really appreciate the testimony.
• In person, one remote.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 2337, which would repeal the planned 2027 requirement that certain family-member long-term care providers complete annual continuing education. Rep. Barnard said the bill was intended to reduce burdens on relatives caring for one loved one and to avoid forcing them into courses that are often not relevant to the person they support. Supportive testimony from family providers and disability advocates emphasized that family caregivers already receive individualized training from doctors and therapists, that the available course library is often geared toward aging-related care rather than developmental disabilities, and that mandatory CE could create compliance barriers and risk losing caregivers. Opponents, including SEIU 775 representatives and family caregivers who support the current system, argued that continuing education improves care quality, helps caregivers stay prepared as needs change, and should remain mandatory; they also said the state had already responded to prior concerns by expanding the course catalog and allowing repeat courses for credit. No action was taken on HB 2337. The committee then heard HB 2311, a technical bill making administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment and Accountability and Oversight Board. The bill would extend co-chair terms, allow more than four meetings per year, shift consultation on workforce investment effectiveness to the Student Achievement Council, and eliminate the requirement for a public data dashboard. The bill sponsor and supporters from WASAC, Microsoft, and the United Faculty of Washington State said the changes would improve board operations and oversight, while also raising broader concerns that WEA funds have been used to supplant general fund support for higher education. Testimony noted the dashboard had not been funded and that WASAC already tracks related metrics through other tools. No vote was taken on HB 2311 during the hearing. The committee then moved to executive action on HB 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying information in WASFA records. An amendment by Rep. Levitt was adopted to allow the Student Achievement Council to share applicant information with entities beyond higher education institutions under binding data-sharing agreements. The committee then adopted the amended substitute bill and voted it out of committee. The final roll call was 9-8 in favor, and Substitute HB 2132 was reported out with a do pass recommendation. The committee also announced that executive action on HB 288 and HB 2148 would be delayed and that no action would be taken on those bills that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's why I appreciate those of you who are willing to give some testimony today.
• But, yeah, after the testimony last time we met, that was fantastic.
• Supports are fine, roommates are fine, remote supports, fantastic. We love remote supports.
• Supports are fine, roommates are fine, remote supports, fantastic. We love remote supports.
• who are here to give testimony, but— And those who are here to give testimony but aren’t necessarily

Summary: The committee/task force met with several disability service providers to discuss integrated employment, transition services, and barriers to community jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described creating their own businesses when community employers were not hiring their clients, and said rigid service rules, employer readiness, bullying, and reimbursement structures often force the person to fit the service rather than the service fitting the person. They said they have not seen clients lose benefits, but they do closely manage reporting to Social Security and related supports. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial work, city beautification, state-use contracts, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said many employers are hesitant because of productivity and cost concerns, and that businesses are often more open to contracting with her agency than hiring individuals directly. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model with sheltered work, volunteer sites, paid contracts, and a Transition Academy. She said the academy is a two-year program focused first on independent living and then on employment, with internships and an 85% placement rate, but funding is a major barrier because the program is not accredited and students cannot access traditional aid. She also cited dual diagnoses, inconsistent job coaches, and employer uncertainty as major obstacles. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described DRTC’s long-running enclave contracts, a new Community Skills and Connections program, and a plan to phase out 14(c) subminimum wage use by the end of the year. They said the new program is designed to keep people engaged in community-based skill-building and networking while families still need day supports, and that DRTC has developed more than 100 community partnerships. Senator Kirt, Rep. Hefner, and participants discussed broader system issues, including the need for better school-to-work transition, more social integration, transportation, safety, and employer education. DRS staff said the agency is already required to provide pre-employment transition services in schools starting at age 14 and offers employer accommodations support and job-carving assistance, though they acknowledged federal reporting expectations and service rules can be restrictive. Several participants raised concerns about line-of-sight restrictions, congregate living rules, benefit cliffs, and the difficulty of moving from DDS to DRS services. The group also discussed the need for better data and possible working groups focused on in-school transition, program support and blending services, and community integration. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to testimony.
• We're going to go into public testimony.
• “According to testimony from OIC, this does not expand, but according to your testimony, it does expand
• Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thanks for your testimony.

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

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Um today's remote testimony is in support. Two votes and 17 opposed.
• </c><04:03:08.160><c> There</c> to register from remote testimony.
• There to register from remote testimony.
• ><c> testimony</c><04:10:31.279><c> testimony,</c><04:10:32.640><c> there</c> In the remote testimony
• testimony, there In the remote testimony testimony, there were<04:10:33.120><c> four</c><04:10:33.359

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, it's so good to see you, and thank you for your testimony.
• Thanks for your testimony, Candace.
• We have three remote testifiers. DDRHC facilities renaming.
• Thanks for your testimony today, Sean. All right.
• Thanks for your testimony.

Bills: HB2510

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we go to remote testimony for K-12, I see we've been joined by Commissioner Dave Up the Grove.
• Thanks for letting me double dip on testimony today.
• Next we will go to remote testimony, beginning with Lance Morehouse. glue to ensure that people don't
• Next we will go to remote testimony, beginning with Lance Morehouse.
• Jennifer, can you read your testimony? Hi.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• And that will conclude public testimony, and I will close House Bill 2650.
• And that will conclude public testimony, and I will close House Bill 2650.
• Seeing none, we're going to move into public testimony, Vice Chair Street.
• Seeing none, we're going to move into public testimony, Vice Chair Street.
• Next, we'll hear from Jim Freeberg, who's remote.

Bills: HB2367 , HB1974 , HB2650 , HB2626

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Transcript Highlights:

• For that reason, much of what you'll hear today in our testimony can also be seen in our testimony from
• 2025, Today in our testimony can also be seen in our testimony from 2025 Assembly Bill 1, which was
• As we mentioned in our testimony, there we go.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• We've heard testimony related to the process, but we haven't heard testimony from inside the room, right

Committee: House Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning we'll hear invited testimony on health regulatory agencies in Article 8.
• Once we have completed our invited testimony for the day, we will open up the hearing for public testimony
• who are 100% remote and then everybody else is some type of hybrid mix in the office and remote.
• Moving on, public testimony. So we do have. Okay, so for the record.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for the written testimony. Yes.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• Those wishing to provide remote testimony were required to sign up in advance.
• We'd ask that speakers please limit testimony to no more than three minutes.
• Thanks, everyone, for your testimony.
• We need your support to do... testimony from the town moderator as well.
• Thank you so much for your time and testimony. Thank you.

Bills: H3012 , H4008 , H4435 , H4444 , H4526 , H4547 , H4574 , H4575 , H4576 , H4577 , H4585 , H4605 , H4687 , H4703 , H4722 , H4754 , H4755

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: fines, property valuation, commercial property, real estate, tax penalties, property taxes, local option tax, marijuana sales, Salem, revenue generation, taxation, recreation, local government, commercial activities, Charlemont, property exemption, disabled persons, Swampscott, senior exemption, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• We will take testimony on House Bill 1481, House Draft 2, relating to human remains.
• We stand on our testimony in support, and I'm here to answer any questions that may be asked.
• We will be taking testimony on the following resolutions.
• Objection by Sarah, members of the committee, PUC, and we sent our written testimony.
• There was no testimony submitted on these resolutions, so we will take a recess.

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard House Bill 1481, which would require cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, HSI facilities, and mortuaries to dispose of human remains within 60 days after a burial transit permit or related affidavit is issued. The Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association and several funeral-related entities supported the bill, and the association said it had already implemented consistent cremation authorization language regarding notice and consent for recycling metal implants, effective January 1. The committee later recommended HB 1481 be passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; the vice chair voted with reservations, saying the prior version with Department of Health rulemaking was stronger consumer protection. The committee also considered several resolutions. SCR 96 and SR 91, on a status update for implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, were recommended for passage with amendments adopting the PUC’s requested changes. SCR 172 and SR 163, seeking a comprehensive analysis of ways to reduce costs and financial risks while meeting state goals, drew support from the PUC and Energy Office with comments, and the committee recommended passage with amendments removing a disputed whereas clause. SCR 109 and SR 102, on studying expanded mail-order pharmacy use, drew mixed testimony: the Insurance Division and HMSA supported a study, while the Hawaii Pharmacist Association and others raised concerns about patient outcomes, rural access, and community pharmacy sustainability; the committee amended the resolutions to require broader agency cooperation and evaluation of community pharmacy impacts, then recommended passage. In additional decision-making, the committee deferred SCR 193 and SR 1802 on trust transparency due to no testimony. It recommended passage with amendments on several bills, including HB 1782 after clarifying terminology with the Attorney General’s Office, HB 1514 on workers’ compensation, HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure, HB 1643 on pharmacy, HB 1721 on housing, HB 1864 on insurance, HB 1946 on timeshare registration, and HB 2475 on labeling requirements. HB 350 on energy was deferred for more work. The committee also reconsidered HB 2101 on commercial aquarium collection and recommended passage as amended after hearing from supporters and noting concerns about enforcement and statewide consistency.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we've heard from testimony and then from others, this is really a needed fix to address some of the
• form and call the roll when ready, and I believe Representative Kloba—yep, there she is, joining us remotely
• As we've heard from, you know, testimony and then from others, this is really a needed fix to address
• form and call the roll when ready and I believe Representative Clova yep there she is joining us remotely
• perfect I believe Representative Clova, yep, there she is, joining us remotely.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met in executive session to review several bills and amendments. Staff briefed House Bill 2483 on creating a data broker registry, House Bill 2477 on limiting claims arising from appraisal reports, House Bill 2274 on the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act, House Bill 2394 on insurance fraud enforcement, House Bill 2624 on consumer protections for unsolicited real estate transactions, and House Bill 2240 on self-service storage rental agreements. Members discussed proposed amendments on narrowing the data broker definition, delaying registration dates, expanding exemptions, clarifying appraisal-related limitations, and revising email and insurance fraud language, but action on HB 2483 and HB 2477 was deferred. The committee then moved HB 2274 forward. Supporters said it was a needed fix after litigation involving misleading commercial emails, while some members noted remaining concerns but wanted to advance the bill before policy cutoff. The committee adopted the proposed substitute and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by a 12-3 vote. HB 2394 was also deferred without action. HB 2624 was reported out with a due pass recommendation after debate over whether the bill’s carve-out for public entities, tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies was too broad; the vote was 9-6. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2240, requiring both email and first-class mail delivery of rental agreements when an email address is provided and extending notice for termination or nonrenewal to 25 days. As amended, HB 2240 was reported out with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a witness card.
• To be fair, Louisiana has made progress with an alternative remote seller's regime, but the number of
• We already have the remote online portal for remote sellers that is doing the same thing.
• If you are an out-of-state remote reseller, you have a simple online portal.
• But I'm going to sit back and listen to some more of the testimony and the questions. Thank you.

Bills: HB214 , HB217 , HB253 , HB411 , HB440 , HB514 , HB515 , HB543 , HB614 , HB620 , HB658 , HB812 , HB898 , HB961

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, income tax, tax repeal, individuals, estates, trusts, tax reduction, state revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two remote testifiers, Pam Lewison and Stacey Rasmussen.
• And Paul, if you'd like to come up in person, we'll have you go after the remote folks.
• That concludes the testimony on HB 2584. We will close the public hearing.
• That concludes testimony on HB 2376. Madam Chair. Oh, sorry.
• If you guys would like to come up, that'd be great, followed by Aaron Johnson, who's remote.

Bills: HB2376 , HB2584 , HB2610 , HB2615 , HB2089 , HB2194 , HB2257 , HB2528 , HB2175 , HB2334

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: property tax, reform, local government, taxpayer, funding, agriculture, tax exemption, farm machinery, equipment, sales tax, HB 2610, property tax exemption, nonprofit housing, affordable housing, low-income housing, community use, temporary use, charitable property, Washington property tax, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill their children remotely.
• </c> and go ahead with your testimony. Okay. and go ahead with your testimony. Okay.
• </c> testimony. My name is Suzanne Dickinson. testimony. My name is Suzanne Dickinson.
• Seeing none, we'll go to member questions. testimonies here today, they stated that testimonies here
• Um, is Thank you for your testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• In previous testimonies at another committee, they talked about access, but even in remote areas like
• In previous testimonies at another committee, they talked about access, but even in remote areas like
• In previous testimonies at another committee, they talked about access, but even in remote areas like
• In previous testimonies at another committee, they talked about access, but even in remote areas like
• In previous testimonies at another committee, they talked about access, but even in remote areas like

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on April 1 at 2:04 p.m. and first heard HCR 129/HR 125/HD1, which asks state and county transportation and education agencies to work together on pedestrian safety and traffic congestion around Haiku Elementary School. The Department of Education said it stood on its written testimony, and no other testimony was offered on that measure. The committee then took up HCR 173/HR 169/HD1, urging the Department of Health to begin education outreach and vaccination drive efforts at schools with vaccination rates under 30 percent, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Education and Department of Health both supported the resolution and stood on their written testimony. Support also came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Nurses Association, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Health Committee, and Free Citizens of Malua. A number of testifiers opposed the measure, arguing that vaccination efforts do not belong in schools, that the proposal would pressure families and undermine parental rights and religious freedom, and that it could create liability and misuse public funds. Several opponents also raised concerns about informed consent, government overreach, and vaccine safety. One supporter, Kye Swan, said vaccines are the way to fight infectious disease and asked the committee to pass the resolution so children could be vaccinated before the school year starts. No vote or final committee action on the resolutions was announced in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we get to public testimony, there will be a 90-second timer.
• Please come forward, and then we'll go online for remote testimony. Start whenever you're ready.
• We'll go to testimony. Is Jason Gauthier here?
• </p><p>Lisa Vatsky: I don't have additional testimony.
• I think everyone for this bill is remote.

Bills: SB6256 , SB6275 , SB5868 , SB5954

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Transcript Highlights:

• Just having a look to see, we do not have our remote testifier online yet.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for your testimony today.
• Thank you very much for your testimony today.
• Bornhoft in her earlier testimony.
• Go to public testimony and invite Molly Paffinroth.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2229 would update the professional engineers registration act by removing the U.S. citizenship requirement for board members, increasing pro tem board positions, giving the board more discretion over experience and continuing education requirements, removing some registration exclusions, and making various technical updates. The bill sponsor and the board described it as a cleanup and modernization measure, and a board representative said one naming change in the draft was unintended and would be corrected. No public testimony was taken before the hearing was suspended and later closed. House Bill 2274 would revise the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act after a Washington Supreme Court decision led to a wave of lawsuits over email subject lines. The bill would require a sender to have a “reliable basis” to know an email is held by a Washington resident, narrow when a subject line is actionable, require recipients to show they reviewed and relied on the email to recover damages, and repeal the act’s per se Consumer Protection Act violation while keeping statutory damages. Retailers, small business owners, hospitality groups, and e-commerce representatives supported the bill, saying the current interpretation is producing costly, technical lawsuits over ordinary promotional language and creating settlement pressure even without consumer harm. Consumer advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections against deceptive subject lines and that the current law already targets false or misleading claims. The committee took no final action on the bill. House Bill 2294 would prohibit future negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies, with exceptions for existing restrictions, relocations, and certain retail centers. The sponsor said the measure is intended to improve food and pharmacy access, especially after grocery closures such as the one in Lake City, and noted similar local ordinances already exist. Food industry and grocery association witnesses generally supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to food access and help independent grocers, while also asking for clearer guardrails to avoid unintended effects on legitimate business arrangements. The sponsor said she was open to working on enforcement and other details. The committee then moved to executive session and passed House Bill 1269, which would adjust pawn broker loan terms, interest, document preparation fees, storage fees, and allow online payment for renewals. Members described it as a modest increase after 11 years without changes, and the bill was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, with 15 members voting in the affirmative.