Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:22.159><c> program</c> into safe routes to school program into safe routes to school program
• Our support is around the Safe Routes to School portion of this bill and finding some type of revenue
• Over 80% of our state is within one mile of a school, so any kind of project that we can do that will
• </c><00:26:30.080><c> so</c> state is within one mile of a school so state is within one mile of a school
• </c> the safe school resour routes to school the safe school resour routes to school um<00:27:42.840>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several bills on March 11, including measures on harbor vessel requirements, transportation funding, clean fuels, water carriers, parking enforcement, and electric mobility. For SB 1402 SD1 on vessels in state commercial harbors, testimony was split: the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Longline Association supported it, while Hol Holo Charters and one individual opposed it, saying the bill should be more specific about tourboat operators. For SB 1473 on central services assessments, SB 321 on privately owned roads, and SB 419 on insurance coverage for child passenger restraint systems, the committee heard brief testimony with no noted objections or actions beyond moving through the agenda. For SB 1009 SD2 on parking, the bill would create fines for misuse of disability and EV parking spaces and direct the revenue to the Safe Routes to School special fund. Support came from Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, the Disability Communication Access Board, and others, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported the bill’s intent but questioned using the fines for Safe Routes to School, and Hawaiian Electric suggested directing EV-related fines to the EV charging system subaccount instead. Hawaii Appleseed supported the measure but raised concerns about the size of the fines and possible impacts on low-income residents. The committee asked questions about enforcement when EV chargers are inoperable; DAGS indicated the stalls could be used and would not be enforced in that situation. For SB 1120 on a clean fuel standard, the Department of Transportation supported the measure but asked for the implementation date to be delayed by one year and requested an independent Hawaii-specific economic impact study due before the next session. Support also came from several transportation, airline, and industry groups, while Tim Rhymer and Frank Schultz opposed it. The committee then heard SB 21 on water carriers, which would authorize a PUC inflationary cost index adjustment mechanism and exemptions; DOT, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbors Users Group supported it, while Frank Schultz opposed. Finally, the committee heard SB 117 on electric mobility, which would expand and rename the rebate program, set age limits and operating rules for e-bikes and electric motorcycles, require insurance for electric motorcycle operators, and make conforming changes. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DOT, the Hawaii Bicycling League, the Queen’s pediatric trauma center, and Ulupono Initiative, though one testifier warned that the bill’s wattage definition could unintentionally capture some pedal-assist e-bikes. No votes were taken on the individual bills in the portions shown, and the transcript ended with the committee continuing its hearing agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The school offers an education that begins with the end in mind: the formation of a whole human person
• He's deeply involved in advocacy and policy work, even though he's still in medical school, and it was
• I would like to welcome to the House from Arizona School Administrators, Rebecca Beebe, and she is here
• She's a junior at McClintock High, interning with the Arizona School Administrators, and she is in LD8
• district bond; SB 1446, school workers, social workers, documentation; SB 1450, pharmacy board.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including a proclamation designating March 10 as Cade’s Day in honor of Cade Keller and suicide prevention efforts. Members also welcomed guests from schools, cities, and medical and advocacy groups, and the clerk announced committee assignments and bill referrals. The chamber then moved through committee-of-the-whole action on several bills. HB 2946 and HB 4018 were amended and given do pass recommendations. In a later committee-of-the-whole, HB 2083, HB 2308, HB 2388, and HB 2389 were considered; HB 2083, HB 2308, and HB 2388 received do pass recommendations as amended, while HB 2389 drew debate over environmental review for power plants, with supporters arguing it would lower energy costs and opponents saying it weakened oversight. The House also retained HB 4030 and HCR 2052 on the calendar. The House then took up third-reading votes on a long list of measures. Bills that passed included HB 2047 on forcible entry and detainer, HB 2127 on special license plates, HB 2344 on the local government investment pool, HB 2371 on dissolution of marriage, HB 2140 and HB 2620 on financial institutions and veterans services, HB 2429 on short-term rentals, HB 2434 on the prescription monitoring program, HB 2437 on emergency medical services, HB 2444 on pharmacy-based testing and treatment, HB 2573 on DUI-related psychotherapy treatment, HB 2601 on state highways and routes, HB 2781 on solar energy power plants, HB 2914 on cameras in long-term care rooms, HB 2968 on evidence in child custody proceedings, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4064 on municipal improvement districts, HB 4130 on local government budgets, and HCM 2016 renaming a stretch of U.S. Route 191 as Chief Barbonsito Highway. HB 2726 on sleep apnea treatment failed, and HB 2123 failed on reconsideration after a close vote. Several votes featured debate over housing, energy, veterans’ services, pharmacy scope, family-court evidence rules, and the balance between local control and state oversight. The session ended with committee announcements for the following week, personal privilege remarks, and a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• lands support the common schools.
• Redirecting those assets or proceeds, which are largely Idaho's public schools.
• You know, to maintain the mandate of funding public schools, the legislature could find themselves having
• One was the mention of a Colorado case, which would be Branson School District R.A. 82 v. Romer.
• And that court goes on to expressly recognize that the school district in that case, as a beneficiary

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and 18 and agreed to hold RS 33446 at the sponsor’s request. It then reconsidered RS 33144, a memorial urging the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges. The sponsor argued the issue belongs to the states under federalism and cited Idaho’s constitutional definition of marriage and traditional moral and religious views. Members questioned the need for the memorial given Idaho’s existing constitutional amendment and whether updated public-opinion data should be provided. The committee adopted a substitute amendment removing language referring to the “Anglo-American legal tradition,” and the revised RS 33144 was introduced; the chair later noted noes on the motion for the record. The committee next introduced RS 33-421, a large-load utility bill aimed at codifying rules for new high-demand customers, such as data centers, so growth pays for growth and existing ratepayers are protected from infrastructure costs. The sponsor said the bill would help prevent rate increases and stranded assets, and members asked about impacts on nuclear development, treatment of existing large-load customers, and whether utilities had been consulted. The motion to introduce RS 33-421 passed. The main item of the meeting was H.J.R. 10, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning Idaho endowment lands. The sponsor said the amendment would prioritize revenue-generating uses, preserve traditional uses like timber, mining, and grazing, and protect public access without making the public a beneficiary. Supporters, including recreation and outfitter representatives, said it would provide stability and better recognize recreation and other uses. Opponents from logging, mining, ranching, and the Idaho Department of Lands warned it could create legal ambiguity, invite litigation, conflict with the Admissions Act and fiduciary duties, and shift management away from the current trust framework. After extensive testimony and debate, a motion to hold H.J.R. 10 in committee failed 6-8, and the motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation then failed on a 7-7 tie, so no action was taken to advance the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we'll move to tab 9, SB 1264 on private schools by Senator Kalata-Yud.
• opening up, particularly those small schools or micro-schools.
• Fire and building code change-of-occupancy triggers force expensive upgrades when a school moves into
• the particular school that they were most interested in.
• We have a serious shortage in our state that the supply of school choice opportunities is not keeping

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills, with several focused on water safety, utilities, and local government transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was explained as clarifying water quality credits and water quality enhancement areas, and it was reported favorably after one support appearance. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland arising from injuries caused by a police shooting, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658 on water safety requirements for rental properties drew extensive testimony in support from child advocacy and drowning prevention advocates, who cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and the disproportionate impact on children with autism; the bill was amended to require front-end certification and remove local add-on authority, then passed favorably. CS/SB 18, a claim bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was reported favorably after questions about the verdict, settlement posture, and who would receive the funds. SB 934 on areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a provision viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then passed favorably. SB 1622, which creates a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, also passed favorably with support from an appearance form. SB 1264 on private schools and zoning was reported favorably after members noted ongoing concerns and planned further discussion. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to narrow the bill to storage issues and cap the fee period until inspection; it drew both support and opposition from insurers, fire officials, and vehicle industry representatives, and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014, dealing with municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, was amended to limit it to residential development and clarify capacity standards, then passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 expanded the local infrastructure surtax to include body camera programs and was reported favorably after an amendment requiring voter approval. Finally, CS/SB 1724 and SB 1566, both on local government utility and budget transparency, were amended and reported favorably despite concerns from cities and counties about implementation costs and burdens.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we'll move to Tab 9, SB 1264 on private schools by Senator Kalata-Yud.
• opening up, particularly those small schools or micro-schools.
• Fire and building code change-of-occupancy triggers force expensive upgrades when a school moves into
• rezoning, creates a clear safe pathway for small schools to open in existing buildings, keeps safety
• the particular school that they were most interested in.

Bills: S0018 , S0028 , S0260 , S0848 , S0934 , S1014 , S1102 , S1264 , S1566 , S1622 , S1724

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form. Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives. The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've helped to expand those programs for our farmers and ranchers, and nutrition schools are seen.
• To our federal school lunch program, the SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• That was last year, last fiscal year, in our school district. 195 school food authorities is what they're
• Eighty percent of those school food authorities and school districts participate in the New Mexico Grown
• Fresh fruits and vegetables, and proteins in their school meal programs, again, stabilizer for that.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• So those will continue at school.
• school as well and to take care of it should they need it.
• So those will continue at school.
• school as well and to take care of it should they need it.
• So those will continue at school.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met with replacement members noted at the start and took up one emergency item from the Department of Health and Human Services: approval to accept and expend $2 million to support SNAP recipients during the federal shutdown. Commissioner Lori Weaver and CFO Nathan White explained that USDA/FNS had notified the state it would not receive November SNAP funds, affecting about 74,000 recipients. The department said it activated a contingency plan to contract with the New Hampshire Food Bank to expand mobile food pantries, targeting SNAP households and prioritizing locations based on need, with evening and daytime access and outreach through mail, text, email, social media, partner organizations, and a shutdown webpage. Committee members asked about timing, locations, reimbursement, and whether the state would be repaid by the federal government. Department staff said the food bank would likely need about a week to mobilize once the contract was approved, and that the contract would be cost-reimbursement based, with faster turnaround than usual but not advance payment. White explained the money would come from excess Medicaid Enhancement Tax revenue from state fiscal year 2025, which can be used only for Medicaid purposes under state law and SB 249, allowing general funds to be shifted to the food bank contract. Members also asked about other affected programs; the department said WIC had funding through November 10, energy assistance was expected to continue through December, and school breakfast/free and reduced lunch were not impacted. Members discussed broader public outreach, including a possible PSA and use of the New Hampshire Food Bank’s network of 417 partners, and one member suggested religious leaders or the governor might be better positioned to make donation appeals. The committee then voted unanimously to adopt the item (motion by Senator Gray, second by Senator Waters). The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting on November 21 at 11:00 and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• since I was in high school, back in the early 80s.
• </c> High School since I was in high school High School since I was in high school um<00:16:29.519><c
• These are fine young students, and this is my favorite cell phone-free school.
• </c><00:43:52.240><c> So</c> favorite uh cell phone free school.
• So favorite uh cell phone free school.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And two, it removed the requirement that schools have to carve out any space they use if they have a
• I don't know how many other members, uh, as we know, school building aid is a finite... eyes have it
• /c><00:06:43.560><c> have</c><00:06:43.759><c> to</c><00:06:44.120><c> carve</c> requirement that schools
• It's not in every school, but it's in a few, and Manchester, I don't know if they do that as well.
• It's not in every school, but it's in a few, and Manchester, I don't know if they do that as well.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1038 is sponsored by the California School Employees Association, CSEA, and it expands the
• It took the school district and CalPERS three years after the final audit report to fix the error.
• Senate Bill 1038 is sponsored by the California School Employees Association, CSCA, and, is sponsored
• by the California School Employees Association, CSCA, and it expands the CalPERS audit notification
• It took the school district in CalPERS three years after the final audit report to fix the air.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Select Committee on School Choice will now come to order.
• awaiting placement. ...while awaiting placement with a foster family, provides that a virtual charter school
• It also provides a plan that will provide the information to the new school district and to the foster
• family. ...that will provide the information to the new school district and to the foster family when
• , we would then use a virtual charter school so that there is no interruption to the student's education

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Select Committee on School Choice met, established quorum, and approved the minutes from its February 25, 2026 meeting. The committee then took up House Bill 4588, which was explained as a measure to align with Senate Bill 644 and require the Secretary of Commerce to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program under Public Law No. 119-20 and 119-21, with the change intended to place administration under Commerce rather than the Economic Development Authority. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4588 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 5048, which would create new code to ensure foster students in temporary placement facilities receive virtual instruction until placed in a permanent home. Counsel explained that if a county lacks a virtual program, a virtual charter school could be used, and the West Virginia Department of Education would provide free training for those responsible for the child, along with a plan to transfer information to the new school district and foster family. The committee adopted the proposed amendment, noting it had been worked out with the House, and then reported HB 5048 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked the committee and staff for their work during the session. The committee then adjourned by motion and unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And like we discussed, in case somebody low bids, I'm used to the low bid in being a school board member
• , and we I'm used to the low bid in being a school board member, and we want quality.
• I bring that up all the time in our school board meetings.
• It is for public schools and tribal schools that we have removed that the House had originally, or the
• House had amended it to say non-public schools, and that has been taken out.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2330 met to consider a new conference committee amendment, 25.0551.0603. Members reviewed changes that narrowed the grade levels covered from 4-12 to 6th, 10th, and 12th grades, replaced “evidence-based” with “best practices,” and retained language striking the appropriation because funding is already included in the Attorney General’s budget. Representatives also noted that the bill applies to public and tribal schools, with non-public schools removed from the proposal. Testimony from Representative Jonas reported follow-up with the Department of Public Instruction and the Attorney General’s office. DPI said it was prepared to work with the Attorney General’s office and the eventual grant recipient if the bill passes, and the Attorney General’s office indicated it was comfortable with the statutory guidance in the bill. Committee members discussed the importance of maintaining quality standards and the role of stakeholders in implementation. The committee first voted on the amendment and it passed by voice vote, then voted to adopt the conference committee amendment in place of the House amendment 0601. That motion also passed unanimously by voice vote. Senator Bain was designated to carry the bill on the Senate side and Representative Jonas on the House side, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :06:51.760><c> school?
• Who are you school, uh out of school? Who are you working<01:06:53.440><c> with?
• </c> workers, businesses, and the school workers, businesses, and the school system<01:26:12.000><c>
• ><c> Security</c> represent um Guardian School Security represent um Guardian School Security systems
• and off the threat out of the school and off the school<01:39:35.159><c> grounds.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we've been able to extend it to all K-12 schools, and they're all invited to participate.
• We really appreciate all of the schools that participated this year.
• One hundred sixty-five high schools took part.
• They received materials from the office to support events at their schools.
• Cloud high schools.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• School.
• Should we be a D1 school or should we not be a D1 school?
• Should we be a D1 school or should we not be a D1 school?
• Should we be a D1 school or should we not be a D1 school?
• </c> line up for D2 schools. line up for D2 schools.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She took a school that had been vacant and has opened it up for the Aero School, which actually deals
• She took a school that had out to her.
• </c> High School. High School.
• </c> at Severna Park High School. at Severna Park High School.
• </c> High School. High School.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I went to our school board just last week.
• I went to our school board the board.
• </c> CTE only without the high school CTE only without the high school renovation.<00:39:13.280><c> Um
• </c> for some of our high school renovations. for some of our high school renovations.
• </c> favor of the CTE thing, but the school favor of the CTE thing, but the school district<01:00:09.119

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we'll move to Tab 9, SB 1264 on private schools by Senator Kalata-Yud.
• opening up, particularly those small schools or micro-schools.
• Fire and building code change-of-occupancy triggers force expensive upgrades when a school moves up..
• . ...in building code change-of-occupancy triggers force expensive upgrades when a school moves into
• the particular school that they were most interested in.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills on water quality, public safety, utilities, and transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment and water quality enhancement areas was presented as a follow-up to prior water quality legislation and was reported favorably with no opposition. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy, drowning prevention, and autism advocates who described Florida’s high child drowning rates and supported requiring at least one pool or water-safety feature at short- and long-term rentals; the committee adopted two amendments, including one requiring license applicants to certify compliance, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1724 on municipal utility services, which addresses outside-city utility service agreements, revenue use, rate limits, and customer meetings; an amendment added gas utilities back into the bill. CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a section viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then reported favorably. SB 1622, creating a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, was supported by speakers and reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage at towing facilities was amended to focus on storage only and to limit the extra fee period until inspection clears fire risk; the bill drew mixed testimony from insurers, towing-related interests, and fire officials, but was reported favorably. Later, SB 1264 on private schools was presented as easing zoning and occupancy barriers for small schools and microschools, with supporters saying it would help meet demand for school choice; members raised concerns about local implementation, but the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits was amended to apply only to residential properties and to clarify capacity and annexation-related exceptions; it was supported by local-government and environmental testimony and reported favorably. CS/SB 1102, expanding the local government infrastructure surtax to include body camera costs, was amended so any use would require a new referendum and was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related information, drew testimony from counties, cities, and transparency advocates about costs and uniform templates, and was reported favorably after amendment, with several senators noting concerns for smaller local governments while supporting the transparency goal.

Transcript Highlights:

• It grew out of a discussion I had with a superintendent in a school district.
• votes on closing that school.
• Warner would have to vote on closing the elementary school in Warner.
• Sutton would have to vote on closing the elementary school in Sutton.
• So what this bill does is says, "Okay, you want to close a school."

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and he said that he may need to close the schools for the day.
• I live in Kirkland, and I'm a senior in high school.
• My name is Ora Baker, and I'm a high school student from Kirkland.
• My name is Leah Dorlin, and I'm a high school student from Kirkland.
• I'm a high school senior in Kirkland, Washington, and I'm in favor of this bill.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2542 would require drug developers to use validated non-animal testing methods when available, unless federal regulators request animal testing. The sponsor said the bill builds on prior Washington action on cosmetics testing and is intended to move toward more humane and modern science. Supporters, including students, animal welfare advocates, and biotech-related witnesses, argued that animal tests often fail to predict human outcomes and that alternatives are more accurate. A biotech industry representative said animal testing is still necessary for some research and warned the bill could deter local innovation, but said the industry was open to amendments. The sponsor said she was open to discussing changes to the enforcement mechanism. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. House Bill 2629 would address theft and vandalism of critical communications infrastructure, including copper and fiber lines. The bill would ban cash payments for nonferrous metal transactions, require electronic or stored-value payment methods, impose civil penalties for stolen copper used in telecommunications cable, and create a new Class C felony for destruction of critical communications infrastructure. The sponsor and industry witnesses described repeated outages affecting 911, hospitals, schools, and first responders, and said Washington has a high rate of these incidents. Recycling industry representatives supported the bill after negotiations, but a prosecutor and some others said the bill should focus more on law enforcement tools such as searchable transaction databases and holding periods rather than new penalties. No final action was taken in the hearing. House Bill 2394 would expand the Insurance Commissioner’s insurance fraud program and create a Class B felony for insurance fraud, including fraudulent billing, misrepresentation of repair costs, and misuse of coding systems. The bill also broadens who can be considered a victim for restitution and gives the commissioner additional investigative tools, while the substitute removed a reporting duty for certified public accountants. The sponsor and the Insurance Commissioner’s office said the measure responds to more sophisticated, technology-driven fraud schemes that harm both insurers and consumers. Insurance industry and fraud bureau witnesses supported the bill as a consumer protection measure. No vote was taken. House Bill 2361 would raise the maximum principal amount for small loans from $700 to $1,200, with annual inflation adjustments, while keeping the existing 30% of monthly income cap and other safeguards. The sponsor said the change would better reflect emergency costs and help borrowers avoid illegal lenders. DFI raised implementation questions about inflation adjustments and publication requirements, and opponents from AARP, SEIU 775, poverty advocates, and consumer attorneys argued the bill would increase debt traps and fees for low-income borrowers and older adults. MoneyTree supported the bill, saying the current cap is outdated and that the product remains a flat-fee, regulated credit option with existing consumer protections. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 2294, which would prohibit negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies; staff described a proposed amendment adding notice and changing enforcement, and the committee then moved the bill out with a due pass recommendation.