Transcript Highlights:

• Mobility Access and Mega Programs.
• safety, and we have seven phases of that program complete with the eighth and final phase to come.
• And these programs require that we phase the work and get started.
• And then in improvements and local programs, a large part of that is mostly reappropriations of money
• we can get that program up and running.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard a presentation from WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith on the agency’s mission, 2025 accomplishments, and 2026 priorities. Meredith emphasized preservation, safety, emergency response, ferry reliability, culvert replacement, and major projects such as the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge work, North Spokane Corridor, Confluence Parkway, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. She highlighted the state’s aging transportation assets, recent storm and flood damage, bridge strikes, and the need for additional preservation funding, including the governor’s proposed $1 billion investment in Washington State Ferries and continued work on the World Cup and future regional growth planning. Members asked about ferry service disruptions, rising IBR costs, staffing needs, aviation assets, and bridge-strike certainty tied to the Coast Guard’s upcoming decision on bridge clearance requirements. The committee then received a briefing on HB 2306, the governor’s supplemental transportation budget, which totals $16.7 billion and increases the enacted budget by about $1.2 billion, with most of the increase directed to WSDOT capital spending. OFM staff said the proposal is driven by preservation, maintenance, and ferry needs, and relies on about $3.1 billion in bonding against transportation revenues, while staying below the Treasurer’s coverage ratio. The proposal includes $2 billion for preservation, $164 million for paving this summer, $756 million for paving over 10 years, $250 million for maintenance, $150 million for preserving existing ferries, $15 million for Lower Columbia River dredging, and smaller investments for WSP communications, DOL access, and local road grants. Committee members asked about debt service, remaining bonding capacity, and the impact of office closures and ferry service reductions. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s budget, especially its preservation and ferry investments. Local officials and associations backed ferry funding, local road grants, pavement and bridge preservation, and the Columbia River dredging match. Several speakers urged more support for cities and counties, while rail and transit advocates asked for more rail capital funding and less highway expansion. One ferry advocate criticized the cost of hybrid-electric vessel maintenance compared with diesel, and another witness warned against a pay-per-mile tax. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair announced a short caucus before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen the fruits of this program and how it has created community and ecological resilience in the
• airways, heart attacks, cancer, and even early death.
• airways, heart attacks, cancer, and even early death.
• Institute, Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP), San Bernardino County Medical Society,
• Institute, Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP), San Bernardino County Medical Society,

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is an absolute gem, but the building and leaves so much to be desired.
• The PUF funding is all for university operations and ongoing maintenance of different programs that we
• And we're working with suicide prevention advocates to ensure that we have the right design for that.
• This diversity of programs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and demographics makes for an amazingly rich,
• Asset Preservation Replacement is a legislatively created program set up in the early 1990s with some

Bills: HF3220

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security

Transcript Highlights:

• Programming to help people become aware of and to access services.
• And then Section 12 is the $300,000 for the Native American programming.
• And then tobacco prevention control cessation grants, youth vaping prevention grants, those are all in
• And to arrive at this number, Senator Cleary took a look at some of those other programs and tried to
• They execute a multimedia advertising program to establish a website and a phone base and for management

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier. The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier. The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• conduct biannual program evaluations and recommend changes to programs when needed.
• and developing and maintaining associated program lists.
• success and creates a performance scale to evaluate programming.
• the medically recommended intensive supervision program, uh, and, um, facility and staffing needs.
• MRIS training, and program guidance and reporting requirements.

Bills: HB153

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's what this program does.
• to promote long-term affordability and to prevent displacement and homelessness.
• to promote long-term affordability and to prevent displacement and homelessness.
• The program both prevents displacement and homelessness for residents living in these buildings.
• The program both prevents displacement and homelessness for residents living in these buildings today

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on child safety, immigrant community transparency, agricultural land security, consumer protection, estate transfers, detention commissary pricing, and public works wage enforcement. SB 1234 would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; the author said it was a narrow child-safety measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1257 would require the Attorney General to publish annual reports on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations; supporters said it would improve accountability and document fear in immigrant communities, while questions centered on how the data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 would bar foreign adversary entities from buying or controlling California agricultural land; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while committee members pressed the author on enforcement, who would verify buyers, and possible discriminatory application. The bill was moved on a 2-4 vote and placed on call after the author said he would work on clarifying responsibility and nondiscrimination concerns. The committee also heard SB 1146, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, saying it would curb deceptive deepfake ads and protect consumers; it passed unanimously, 7-0. SB 988 would restrict assignment of benefits in auto glass claims, require claim numbers and itemized estimates, and update repair disclosure rules to curb overbilling and steering; supporters said it would protect consumers and stabilize insurance costs, while independent glass shop concerns about steering and market concentration were discussed. The bill passed 7-0, with one member abstaining because of a conflict. SB 1288, presented on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make good-faith efforts to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would simplify access requirements, especially for nonprofits. Supporters described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements; SIFMA and the California Bankers Association opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactive burdens. The bill passed 8-0. SB 941 would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; supporters said detainees often pay excessive prices for basic necessities, and the bill passed 8-0. Finally, SB 909 would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors warned of uncapped costs and reduced transparency. The discussion continued with questions about enforcement and whether stronger penalties or license restrictions would better deter repeat violators.

Transcript Highlights:

• and and I'm this is only phones okay and and and I'm this is only phones okay and and and I'm this is
• and and although we we issue and all and and and although we we issue and all and and and although we
• and and everything and I think here and and and everything and I think here and and and everything and
• 18 months into the pilot year and 18 months into the pilot year and 18 months into the pilot program
• and um spoke said it was doing program and um spoke said it was doing program and um spoke said it was

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > programs are being run in and funded in programs are being run in and funded in in<00:43:10.000><c>
• EPA and the Chesapeake Bay Trust to develop a national certification program to certify and test the
• </c><01:20:15.199><c> toxic</c> prevent a really important and toxic prevent a really important and toxic
• </c><04:43:12.160><c> program</c> the tobacco control prevention program the tobacco control prevention
• ><c> we</c> my early days as a patrolman and we my early days as a patrolman and we would<05:08:29.920

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By elevating awareness and encouraging the study of prevention programs, California is taking an important
• Family Services, and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals, all members
• The park expansions, free parks pass programs, and equitable educational and recreational programs built
• And it doesn't apply if the CSU program is impacted. ...their own area, and it doesn't apply if the CSU
• development and training programs in California.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• her students and herself, she may volunteer to go through this program and not have the tactical background
• And that should be more well-publicized: how many times prevention, killings, death, injuries to our
• And this is, we're a district talking about prevention.
• So we went through with the Deputy Sheriff's Academy program, is what it was at the time and stuff.
• It's a good program, and it's going to save lives. Is it going to be perfect?

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to ensure that we are not cutting critical programs and services to accommodate those tax
• that are important to our economy while also insulating and preserving programs and services that might
• And it would do that unless state lawmakers enacted legislation to prevent it.
• It's scaling back academic and enrichment programs.
• programs that support future generations and make the Commonwealth a great place to live.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of federal tax changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) on Massachusetts. Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz said the bill would phase in selected corporate tax changes over time, avoid a $442 million FY26 revenue hit, preserve the current-year budget, and add a few related changes, including expanding the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, delaying large federal tax changes over $20 million by one year, limiting opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, adjusting DFML contributions to match IRS guidance, and aligning casino slot-winnings reporting thresholds with federal law. Committee members questioned the administration about why it chose phased conformity rather than full decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill does not pass, the purpose of the pass-through entity change, opportunity zones, and the slot-machine threshold and family leave provisions. Public testimony was sharply divided. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and Don Griswold of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities urged the committee to go further and permanently decouple from the five most costly OB3 corporate tax provisions, arguing that automatic conformity is fiscally risky, rewards investment outside Massachusetts, and has already caused or could cause large revenue losses. Labor and public-sector witnesses, including leaders from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and building trades unions, also called for permanent decoupling, warning that the federal law will deepen state budget pressures, harm schools, health care, human services, and infrastructure, and shift costs onto workers and public programs. Several speakers said Massachusetts should not adopt federal corporate tax cuts that mainly benefit wealthy individuals and corporations. Other testimony focused on specific provisions. Unite Here Local 26 asked the committee to strike the casino slot-winnings threshold change from $1,200 to $2,000, saying the current limit helps identify problem gambling, creates an opportunity for intervention, and supports union jobs. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s phased approach, especially the research and experimental expense deduction, citing the importance of certainty for business filers and Massachusetts’ strong R&D economy. Greater Boston Legal Services testified on the paid family and medical leave sections, explaining that the bill’s changes would align PFML payroll contributions with new IRS guidance and, if paired with administrative action, would be cost-neutral for workers and employers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are important to our economy while also insulating and preserving programs and services that might
• And it would do that unless state lawmakers enacted legislation to prevent it.
• And it would do that in less state lawmakers enacted legislation to prevent it.
• It's scaling back academic and enrichment programs.
• programs that support future generations and make the Commonwealth a great place to live.

Bills: H4975

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: federal tax changes, OBBBA, revenue impact, pass-through entities, state budget, tax relief, high-income earners, opportunity zones, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there was an organized stormwater and drainage program for the entire county and city together.
• And there was an organized stormwater and drainage program for the entire county and city together.
• And there was an organized stormwater and drainage program for the entire county and city together.
• And there was an organized stormwater and drainage program for the entire county and city together.
• And it could vary depending on the And they have prevented many floods from happening because of that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• program in the nation and accredited program in the nation and it's<00:08:17.199><c> still</c><00:08
• And there are programs like this that actually feed into the Black Galore program and specifically high
• </c> program and leadership. program and leadership.
• care which includes screening preventive care which includes screening and<01:40:36.400><c> early</c
• And these exciting program also, right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes from its May 29 meeting and then received an informational update from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing about the state’s ASL interpreter pipeline. Representative Woods and Associate Commissioner Ann Landry explained that the American Sign Language program at UNH Manchester, the nation’s first fully accredited program, is facing viability concerns because high tuition has left only two of a potential 20 students committed so far. They warned that if enrollment does not recover, the program could face a teachout and eventually be lost, which they said would be detrimental because many state services and legal proceedings require qualified interpreters. Members discussed possible alternatives, including whether community colleges could help, and asked for follow-up research and contact information for UNH officials. The committee also heard that interpreter demand across DHHS continues to rise and that the department must ensure compliance with civil rights and service-access requirements. The committee then turned to Medicaid policy changes tied to Senate Bill 134 and a new federal interim final rule on Medicaid community engagement, or work, requirements. DHHS officials Olivia May and Ann Landry explained that the state law and federal rule align in many areas, but the committee still needed to decide how to implement several remaining policy choices. The department recommended adopting all four short-term hardship exceptions because the federal rule requires states to take them all or none: inpatient or institutional care, federally declared emergencies, high-unemployment areas, and extensive out-of-state travel for serious medical care. Members generally supported the exceptions but raised concerns about how they would be defined and applied, especially the emergency and medical-travel categories. Several legislators asked for more clarity on terms like “extensively” and “serious or complex medical care,” and DHHS said the federal rule does not rigidly define them, though the state could refine implementation through rulemaking if authorized. The department also said the emergency exception would apply only to federally declared emergencies, not state declarations, and would be tied to the emergency event itself. No final vote on the Medicaid policy was recorded in the portion provided, but the discussion indicated the committee was reviewing the remaining decisions needed to implement Senate Bill 134 under the new federal framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we And thank you. Uh and welcome.
• </c> my question and and my question and and uh<00:05:05.759><c> there</c><00:05:06.000><c> was</c><00
• </c> the over votes and sum that all up and the over votes and sum that all up and then<00:25:08.799>
• </c><03:22:47.359><c> what</c> someone else and and what was and what someone else and and what was and
• My name is Sarah Shannard, and I'm the voting rights program manager for the New Hampshire Campaign for

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the requirement that a comprehensive literacy program be systemic, sequential, and cumulative
• early prevention.
• program or related statutes to strengthen statewide implementation and improve students' early literacy
• statutes to strengthen statewide implementation and improve students' early literacy outcomes.
• We have a performance audit program that is rigorous and looks at outcomes for other programs and tax

Summary: The House Education Committee first briefed several bills and amendments before going into caucus, then returned for executive action. House Bill 1295, on comprehensive literacy programs, was amended to require aligned literacy curricula and reporting, with one proposed substitute withdrawn and several amendments debated; the committee rejected amendments that would have added implementation deadlines and reporting, adopted an amendment requiring a 2032 OSPI report on literacy outcomes, and advanced the bill with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2262, which adds cursive signature instruction to mandatory high school civics and requires election-related reporting on signature mismatches, was amended to recognize culturally specific signatures, include historical context about marginalized communities, remove a graduation-credit condition, and drop State Board monitoring language; the committee rejected a null-and-void amendment and advanced the bill. House Bill 2551, allowing certain school districts to sell real property with superintendent authorization, was debated as a fiscal flexibility measure and passed out of committee on a 10-4 vote. The committee also considered House Bill 2593 on school district fund balances and monthly financial reporting. A proposed substitute shifted the bill away from mandatory minimum fund balances toward formal financial monitoring for districts below required levels, technical assistance from OSPI, and possible withholding of apportionment payments for reporting failures; an amendment removed the withholding provision, and the substitute bill was then advanced with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2594, establishing state-based protections for homeless students and aligning state requirements with McKinney-Vento, received a technical amendment to avoid duplicative provisions and was reported out unanimously. House Bill 2636, creating a Public Education Performance Operations and Funding Review Commission, was substantially revised into a Public Education Review Advisory Council that would work with JLARC to review education policy requirements and funding; a null-and-void amendment failed, and the committee advanced the substitute bill unanimously. Throughout the meeting, sponsors and members emphasized literacy improvement, student access, district fiscal stability, and reducing or reviewing unfunded mandates. Several members spoke in support of the bills as tools to improve outcomes or provide flexibility, while others raised concerns about mandates, reporting burdens, and the practicality of implementation. Final actions included multiple do pass recommendations, with recorded votes on HB 2551, HB 2593, HB 2594, and HB 2636, and unanimous or near-unanimous support on the other measures after amendment debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So can you explain how and who's going to select the 10 colleges and then the pilot program?
• I think, to get these types of programs up and running quickly and effectively.
• California has launched program after program, but these programs are often too disconnected and operating
• retention and graduation rates through culturally sensitive strategies and programs.
• prevention and support, especially in community and early learning settings.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, the fund helps to prevent oil spill releases as part of our prevention program, including that
• The fund helps to prevent oil spill releases as part of our prevention program, including that forementioned
• oil spill releases part of our prevent oil spill releases part of our prevention<00:45:59.800><c> program
• ><c> that</c> response and prevention efforts so that response and prevention efforts so that includes
• and then the second one uh to to program and then the second one uh to to um<01:34:36.040><c> uh</c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to provide 10% of HHR winnings to host municipalities as mitigation. Representative Om said the bill was intended to offset local costs associated with large gaming facilities, noting that prior gaming measures included opt-in provisions and that this proposal would leave charities and the state whole while taking the 10% from the operator’s share. Members questioned why 10% was chosen and whether municipalities were currently experiencing added costs; Om said the amount was meant to address projected future impacts, not broader municipal budget issues, and cited a study on casino-related community costs. Opponents from the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association argued the bill unfairly singled out one industry and said gaming facilities do not impose more municipal burden than other entertainment venues. The hearing closed without a vote, and a member clarified the bill would apply to existing and future casinos/facilities. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises the cap on reimbursements from the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and makes related changes to the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly described the funds as an insurance backstop for oil spill cleanup and low-income tank replacement, saying the program helps prevent environmental hazards and satisfies financial responsibility requirements. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill but noted that fee changes are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts explained that the bill would change reporting deadlines, raise the reimbursement cap for low-income homeowners, extend the fee collection period for 10 years, and adjust petroleum import fees based on an actuarial review. They said the funds cover spill response, prevention, and tank replacement, and that the fee structure was designed to keep the funds solvent while balancing costs across fuel categories. Committee members asked about the actuarial basis for the fee changes, why some fees would rise while others would fall, and how the funds are used. DES said the review used 10 years of claims and exposure data and that the fuel oil fee would otherwise need to rise sharply, so the board proposed a smaller increase and rebalanced other fees. Members also asked about the scope of covered oil imports, and DES explained that the fee applies to oil destined for use in New Hampshire, not merely passing through the state. The discussion also covered home heating oil spills, which DES said are often discovered by homeowners or fire departments and are usually caused by tank corrosion, piping, or overfills. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that the policy committee had already approved the bill before the finance-focused review.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that would have prevented this from happening from the get-go.
• Way to try it, and it's a program that we funded now, I think, for two summers.
• arts programs and then eventually.
• To have a successful process and program, we took measures to be proactive and provide good information
• many times and did not know its history," is very powerful, and people are appreciating the programming

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• safety training and supervision in the program.
• in the apprenticeship and it requires safety training and supervision in the program and that's my feel
• It defines apprenticeship programs and does the things that Mr.
• As we've said, this program has been in place since 2013, and based on the agreements—and I don't want
• And we're talking about parental protections and prevention of grooming.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and passed several bills dealing with insurance fraud funding, education scholarships, apprenticeships, workers’ compensation fraud, credit unions, manufactured home installation licensing, short-term rentals, homeowners associations, condo disclosures, and an advanced manufacturing infrastructure reimbursement program. HB 4020 would raise the annual insurer assessment cap for the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions fraud unit from $1,050 to $1,350; it passed after testimony from Nationwide supporting the added resources. HB 2255 would extend Arizona Teachers Academy scholarship eligibility for community college students from two academic years to four, and HB 2591, as amended, would revise the definition and requirements for registered apprenticeships under DES standards; both passed unanimously. HB 2680, as amended, would narrow and clarify workers’ compensation fraud-related provisions and insurance disclosure requirements, and HB 2979, as amended, would modernize credit union bylaws, name changes, and operating powers; both also received due pass recommendations. HB 2868, which adds insurance and fingerprint-clearance requirements for manufactured home/mobile home installation licensees and gives the Department of Housing additional licensing authority, passed with some members present or voting no. The committee also took up HB 2429, a strike-everything amendment on short-term rentals that would let local governments set occupancy limits, extend the violation window for suspension actions from 12 to 24 months, and allow suspension after certain building code violations. The sponsor and city officials described it as a compromise giving communities more local control, while short-term rental owners and neighborhood advocates raised concerns about overbroad enforcement and the scale of the housing impacts; the bill passed 8-2 with one present. HB 4011, which would codify duties for condominium and planned community associations to act reasonably and provide access to information, was heard without the proposed Carter amendment and passed 11-0 after testimony from homeowners, attorneys, and HOA representatives about fairness and enforceability. HB 2397, another HOA-related bill, would expand disclosure requirements for condo and association purchases and escrow information; it passed unanimously after supporters said it would improve consumer transparency. Finally, the committee heard HB 4026, which would change the public infrastructure reimbursement program for advanced manufacturing projects by replacing the current statewide cap with a $75 million annual cap and requiring more transparency for related agreements. Supporters, including Queen Creek’s mayor, GPEC, and the Arizona Chamber, said the program helps fund roads, water, wastewater, and other infrastructure needed to attract large manufacturing investments and jobs, while some members questioned the budget impact and whether the program benefits rural areas. The discussion emphasized projects such as LG in Queen Creek and other major manufacturing investments, with supporters arguing the bill preserves Arizona’s competitiveness and generates long-term tax revenue.