Transcript Highlights:

• But with that being said, I think that a lot of those jobs, which is what this has always been about,
• is creating a better environment... ...for jobs for Oklahomans.
• I think a lot of those jobs could replicate between either a film or a series or a sitcom.
• Since there's been a lot of conversation about jobs here, I'm going to just expound a moment, if I may
• We have longer sustaining, more permanent job opportunities for Oklahoma citizens.

Summary: The House considered and advanced a large package of bills, many on joint committee reports, with most measures passing by wide margins and several emergency clauses approved. Early debate centered on HB 4036, which moved $5 million from an existing filmed-in-Oklahoma account to a new revolving fund for the “Bringing Sitcoms Home from Hollywood” pilot program. Supporters said the money was surplus, still controlled by the film office, and intended to create jobs and a strong return on investment; opponents questioned whether the funds should instead go to other state needs and whether the program had enough workforce and infrastructure. The bill passed 53-42, but its emergency failed. The House also passed HB 471, which creates state support for federal “Trump accounts” for children under 18, after debate over federal control, investment risk, and whether the $12.5 million could be better spent on child care, schools, or other services; it passed 61-30 and the emergency failed 62-27. Several education, transportation, and public safety measures then moved through with little or no opposition. HB 4030, described as the education limits bill, passed 93-1 with its emergency. HB 4065 and HB 467 each appropriated $93,000 for security at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics and the Schools for the Blind and Deaf, respectively, and both passed unanimously or near-unanimously with emergencies. HB 4038 directed $5 billion for the eight-year transportation plan and $266,000 for safer school zones; HB 4048 transferred PREP funds to three road projects; and HB 4031 moved up to $41 million into the long-term aerospace and aeronautic stability fund. HB 4047, which used PREP funds for a rural economic development project, fairgrounds upgrades, and university energy improvements, drew the most discussion over whether the spending was truly rural-focused, but passed 81-11 with the emergency approved. The House also approved a series of capital, justice, health, and workforce-related bills. These included HB 452 to buy the Service Oklahoma building it currently occupies; HB 4041 for a two-year trafficking victim pilot program and public safety technology; HB 4056 and HB 4057 for OSBI and narcotics headquarters/warehouse facilities; HB 4044 for current National Board Certified Teachers; HB 4032 on mining fees and agreement language; HB 4034 to raise court reporter compensation; HB 4050 reducing employer contributions while keeping retirement funds growing; HB 4053 and HB 4054 for flagship university capital projects; HB 4072, a public finance/accounting measure involving the Invest in Oklahoma Board and Revenue Stabilization Fund mechanics; HB 4045 and HB 4046 creating military-related funds to support bases and BRAC-proof installations; HB 4040 establishing oversight and a revolving fund for rural health transformation federal money; and HB 4051 clarifying legislative control over the FMAP rate preservation fund. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support and emergency clauses, and the chamber ended with announcements of committee meetings before adjourning until April 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond education and job readiness programs, Perryville partners with public and private organizations
• preparation means little if we as a community aren't ready to welcome the women home with housing, jobs
• We had not been doing a good job with rehabilitation. We have not been doing a good job with that.
• and also to retain members for the job.
• Tucson did a very effective job with it.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on March 25 for what was described as its last regular meeting, with a possible special meeting the following week. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1112, adopting a Livingston strike-everything amendment that appropriates $1 million from the special services fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Corrections for holistic, studio-based rehabilitative programming and requires a report on spending, self-harm, discipline, and recidivism by June 30, 2028. Supporters from Art of Our Soul testified that the trauma-informed art and music therapy program has reduced disciplinary violations, self-harm, and mental health watches, and members described it as a rehabilitation effort with documented benefits. The bill, as amended, received a due pass recommendation by a 16-2 vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1776, which would expand AHCCCS coverage for traditional healing services to include urban Indian organizations. AHCCCS testified neutrally but said the change would require a waiver amendment, would not qualify for 100% federal match, and would carry an estimated $1.3 million general fund impact. The sponsor argued the bill would align Arizona with federal policy and correct an omission of urban Indian organizations from the existing waiver. After discussion about costs and whether the bill should proceed with a committee of the whole amendment, the committee gave SB 1776 a do pass recommendation by a 9-6-2-1 vote, with several members expressing concern about AHCCCS growth and the funding source. Senate Bill 1537, which would rename the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeal its advisory commission, failed. Testimony explained that the commission has not met in years and that the bill was largely a cleanup measure, but the Arizona Police Association opposed the change and some members wanted the commission reformed rather than repealed. The committee voted it down 6-9, with members split over whether the fund should remain tied to its current structure. The committee next adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1584 that shifted a $1 million appropriation for Department of Corrections recruitment and training from the general fund to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. Supporters said DOC remains understaffed and that the training/recruitment program has worked elsewhere; some members questioned whether the fund could legally be used for that purpose, but the amendment passed and the bill received a do pass recommendation by a 10-5-2-2 vote. Finally, Senate Bill 1673, which funds the law enforcement crime victim notification system, was amended to reduce the appropriation from $5 million general fund to about $2.595 million from the victim compensation fund. Testimony from the Arizona Sheriffs Association, victim notification vendors, and Phoenix officials emphasized the program’s importance, while others argued the amendment would raid victim compensation resources. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the committee adjourned after noting the next calendar had not yet been posted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good job. Thank you. The chair would like to recognize that was a great Pledge of Allegiance today.
• The gentleman did a wonderful job in the presentation. I, too, am in on this legislation.
• And I thought you and your co-sponsor did a really nice job presenting this bill.
• I think the amendment maker has done a good job of doing this, but that this is a clarifying bill.
• Not everybody knows, perhaps, but in my real job, I actually deal with senior health insurance.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 40th day by roll call vote, 122-1. Members used points of personal privilege to recognize the departure of Scott Bell and to honor the life of Ernie Dempsey of St. Charles, and the chamber welcomed numerous special guests, including Child Advocacy Day participants, school groups, local civic leaders, and visitors from across the state. The main floor business centered on House Bill 3239, which would make the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program permanent and move it into the MOCAP framework with a $4 million annual cap and pay-for-performance funding. Supporters said the program has helped about 1,200 adults earn diplomas, especially women and parents needing flexible online access, while opponents argued it would divert foundation formula money from K-12 students and duplicate existing adult education options. An amendment adding a college admissions and financial aid task force was offered but failed, 55-82; the previous question was then ordered, and HB 3239 was perfected and printed. The House also perfected and printed House Bill 1786, which would prevent county assessors from reclassifying single-family homes used as short-term rentals from residential to commercial for tax purposes. Supporters framed it as a property-rights and tax-relief measure for homeowners and small LLCs, while opponents raised concerns about local control and the line between mom-and-pop rentals and larger business operations. House Bill 2944, dealing with the senior property tax freeze, was amended to clarify that the freeze applies across taxing districts and to simplify annual filing and notification requirements; a later amendment was ruled out of order, and the bill was perfected and printed as amended. The House then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So many hard-working public servants who were just going to work to do their job, who lost their lives
• So many hard-working public servants who were just going to work to do their job, who lost their lives
• So many hard-working public servants who were just going to work to do their job, who lost their lives
• So many hard-working public servants who were just going to work to do their job, who lost their lives
• I'm maybe I'm what a great job they do.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two daughters that are teachers, and they'll do a great job and continue to do a great job in
• They did their job, which they're supposed to do. They did a fantastic job.
• They did an amazing job. That person was apprehended. There was investigators.
• Our House security does an amazing job.
• Everyone deserves a good job and a comfortable living environment.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 102-1. Members then used points of personal privilege and special guest introductions to recognize constituents, advocacy groups, students, school officials, physical therapy advocates, domestic violence service providers, and others. One member delivered an emotional statement about the arrest of the suspect in his sister’s 26-year-old murder case, thanking law enforcement and prosecutors involved in the cold-case investigation. The chamber then took up House Bills 2097 and 1905, a measure to expand an agriculture education pilot program into a statewide option for elementary schools. Supporters from both parties described it as a way to teach children where food comes from, connect agriculture with literacy and math, and encourage interest in farming and related careers. The House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bills. Members also considered House Bill 2167, which would codify and expand authority for Attorney General investigators and, through amendments, address House and Senate security officers and certain other state officers. Debate centered on whether the bill improperly broadened the original subject and whether it would give too much arrest power or create safety and constitutional concerns. One amendment to the amendment failed on a roll call, 62-68-1, but the House adopted the St. Charles amendment 61-43 and then perfected and printed HB 2167 as amended. Finally, the House took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2747 and 2047, a clean-slate/automatic expungement bill. Supporters said it would give people who have completed their sentences a second chance and improve access to jobs and stability; the sponsor also explained a related change limiting death-penalty sentencing in hung-jury cases so judges would not impose death in that circumstance. The House adopted an amendment requiring expungements to be shared with consumer reporting agencies, then adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bill as amended. The House also announced upcoming events and then recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're doing their job. This is not a statement about the Capitol Police at all.
• She can't, she's got a job. She can't get to the Capitol till 5 o'clock.
• And so if they are trained, let them do their job. Do I see any further questions?
• You all have done a great job, and it's appreciated. We've got a busy committee.
• You all have done a great job, and it's appreciated.

Bills: HB1453 , HB2933 , HB2941 , HB2945 , HB2959 , HB3087 , HB3094 , HB3297 , HB3298 , HB3319 , HB3321 , HB3386 , HB3453 , HB3471 , HB3505 , HB3510 , HB3544 , HB3549 , HB3652 , HB3727 , HB3791 , HB3845 , HB3906 , HB4119 , HB4125 , HB4126 , HB4198 , HB4236 , HB4425 , HB4343 , HB4094 , HB3407

Committee: House Civil Judiciary

Keywords: foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, abortion

Transcript Highlights:

• So. you would have probably answered my question because you did a really good job right there.
• This would bring jobs as well as direct economic impact. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Great answer.
• Environmental goals with economic development and job creation.
• Great job, members. We have Representative Brown in opposition, and we're, uh, thank you.
• Great job, members. Great questions. Thank you very much, members. Can we try to get by 2:30?

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last change order is for the force main job.
• And the last change order is for the force main job.
• Okay, so the equipment on the project is the cost of the job, so that's our biggest item getting that
• That put it up where we still thought, okay, $12 million should be a doable number for this job.
• And as construction has been—past year and a half, two years—every job has just come in over budget a

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Chairmen reminded members that no funding had yet been appropriated for future Water Sector awards, so any discussion of upcoming projects remained speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then moved through a series of deadline extension requests for phase two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch Water Corporation, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Each extension was approved after brief discussion, including testimony explaining local match timing, consolidation agreements, and project delays. The committee next considered several phase one ARPA-funded requests. St. Tammany Parish Project 845 received approval for a scope change to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. Tallulah’s mayor gave an extended update on the city’s water rehabilitation project, explaining that the original project had been bid twice, that the state had already completed some emergency work, and that the city wanted to isolate the purchase of four permanent media filters and related electrical work from the original rehab plan. Members questioned whether the request was a scope change or a partial implementation of the original project, but ultimately approved it. The committee also approved additional funding for the City of Kaplan’s sewer project and for Ponchatoula’s sewer project, with Ponchatoula explaining that the increase covered emergency levee repair, miscellaneous equipment and safety items, and a force main reroute around unmarked fiber and other obstacles. St. Martin Parish Water Project 1001 was approved for additional funding after engineers explained that the final well site and related work cost more than originally estimated, though the project remained within the original consolidation plan. West Allen Water Works also received approval for additional funding after its new groundwater well encountered unexpected geologic problems; the contractor and engineers agreed to reduce their fees to preserve the project’s match structure, and members asked that the in-kind match be clearly documented for JLCB. By contrast, Tensaw Water Distribution Association’s large request for additional funding to complete a consolidation with Newelton drew significant concern over cost growth and timing. After discussion of the project’s scope, the need to serve Newelton, and the possibility of future reapplication or further value engineering, the committee voted to defer the Tensaw item to the next meeting for more review. At the end of the meeting, staff reported that 42.11% of ARPA funds remained and reviewed a list of high-risk projects, noting that the committee was trying to ensure ARPA dollars are drawn first and reconciled properly before deadlines. Members discussed the need to ground-truth self-reported project status and potentially adjust procedures to better track construction progress and final draws. The meeting concluded with no subfund or termination items and adjourned after a motion by Senator Bass.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell that you take your job very seriously, and thank you sincerely. Thank you for that.
• And by that time, they've lost their job and everything, so it doesn't do it.
• And so then you give them on probation, condition of probation is, well, you need a job.
• Well, they already lost their job because they've been in jail and just waiting sentencing.
• I even had a job waiting for me when I got out. They still put me on one.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 2592, 2834, and 2787 into one measure. The combined substitute was then voted do pass by a unanimous roll call, recorded as 15 ayes and 0 noes after a brief correction to the tally. The committee then heard House Bill 1786, which would raise the Highway Patrol’s spending threshold for purchasing vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and related specialized equipment without returning to the legislature from $100,000 to $500,000. The sponsor and Highway Patrol witnesses said the current cap is outdated because boats, armored vehicles, bomb trucks, and aircraft equipment now cost far more than $100,000, while members asked about inflation, the revolving fund, and whether a lower increase might be more appropriate. No opposition testimony was offered. Next, House Bill 2885 was heard. It would redirect the first $1 million in annual boat registration fee revenue away from general revenue and into the Missouri Water Patrol Division. The sponsor and Highway Patrol said registration revenue has declined while operating costs have risen, and the division needs the money to support enforcement, search and rescue, dive operations, and boating safety programs. Members asked how much revenue is collected and whether the change would affect other programs; testimony indicated the bill would mainly earmark existing revenue rather than increase overall department funding. The committee also heard House Bill 2694, which would exempt four fee-supported funds from the end-of-biennium sweep to general revenue: the Highway Patrol Academy Fund, the State Forensic Laboratory Account, the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety Fund, and the Elevator Safety Fund. The sponsor and Department of Public Safety witnesses said the sweeps make long-term planning difficult and can disrupt training, lab support, and safety inspection operations, though members raised concerns about excess balances, guardrails, and whether fee reductions should be considered if reserves grow too large. Finally, House Bill 1712 was heard; it would make intentionally failing to charge an electronic monitoring device a crime, closing a loophole in existing tampering law. The sponsor, a sheriff, and other witnesses said the bill addresses deliberate attempts to evade monitoring, while members discussed battery warnings, rural access to electricity, and the costs and benefits of pretrial release. No votes were taken on the later bills before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For just a little bit of background, I think Representative Sanchez did a great job at laying out what
• Senator Sanchez did a great job at laying out what produced water is.
• safety, rigorous standards, local oversight, and tangible benefits for our real communities, including jobs
• I take my job serious.
• We have people that have been trained to do this, but it's just kind of like a volunteer job at this

Bills: HM45 , HB276 , HB300

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: Taos County, Questa, produced water, treated produced water, water reuse, water quality control commission, freshwater conservation, rural communities, acequias, Indian nations, tribes, pueblos, water rights, industrial water use, data centers, artificial intelligence, AI, quantum computing, economic development, renewable energy

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 45, which asked the Water Quality Control Commission to promptly hear a petition seeking consideration of the beneficial reuse of treated produced water. The sponsor and supporters argued that produced water could help conserve freshwater, support agriculture and rural communities, and potentially aid compact obligations with Texas and industrial users. The committee also heard extensive opposition from acequia leaders, environmental groups, and residents who said the science is not yet sufficient, the water contains unknown or proprietary contaminants, and the memorial could pressure regulators or shift pollution burdens to other communities. After questions focused on the meaning of a memorial, the status of the petition, and the role of the Produced Water Research Consortium, a motion to table HM 45 passed, with members explaining they wanted the petition in hand before acting. The committee then took up House Bill 276, which appropriates $3.3 million to NMSU for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to support celebration of the 400-year anniversary of winemaking in New Mexico. Supporters described the bill as a statewide agritourism and economic development effort tied to New Mexico’s long wine history, with marketing, signage, and tourism promotion intended to benefit wineries across the state. Members asked about the funding source, the anniversary date, and whether the effort would include wineries outside the south; the sponsor said the campaign would highlight wineries statewide. The committee voted do pass on HB 276. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 300, which would appropriate funds for the care and management of free-roaming horses and related domestic horse management, with an emphasis on tribal and local herd-control efforts using fertility control and trained community members. Supporters said the program would help address overpopulation, grazing impacts, and roadway safety, while opponents questioned relocation plans and whether the money should be spread across more counties. The sponsor and expert witness said trained personnel were already in place and the funds would support implementation. After discussion, the committee voted do pass on HB 300. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again Saturday to hear House Bill 207.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do want to make a comment on the supposedly part-time job. Mr.
• This is not a part-time job.
• If you want to make it a part-time job, we recognize some members are doing it part-time. ...part-time
• job.
• It's always been a full-time job. So once again, I'm going to vote present. Thank you.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2156 , HB2180 , HB2554 , HCR2047 , HR2002

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, agriculture, appropriation, University of Arizona, education, state budget, biennial budget, state funding, appropriations, budget procedures, fiscal years, Judea

Transcript Highlights:

• incentives to work hazardous<00:07:38.400><c> duty</c><00:07:38.720><c> type</c><00:07:38.960><c> jobs
• But these are structured jobs. You have to enter controlled checkpoints.
• But u these<00:10:35.360><c> are</c><00:10:35.600><c> structured</c><00:10:36.000><c> jobs.
• You have to these are structured jobs.
• It's just the nature of the job. It's just the nature of the job.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:42 Department of Corrections 04:14 Department of Juvenile Justice 16:22 Kentucky Law Enforcement Council 28:01 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard budget-related testimony from the Department of Corrections on a request for additional funding to take over operations of the Lee Adjustment Center, including $2.2 million in fiscal year 2027 and $5.2 million in fiscal year 2028. The witness said the governor’s budget did not recommend the request. Members asked about the cost savings of private operation versus state operation, the facility’s role in the department’s long-term goals, and whether the state intends to move toward operating all adult correctional facilities directly. The Department of Juvenile Justice then presented on staffing, recruitment, retention, and facility planning. Officials described recent pay increases and other investments, including a 10% security pay raise in 2021, an 8% state employee raise in 2022, higher youth worker starting salaries, and $4.8 million in 2023 funding to sustain salary increases. They said DJJ has also expanded mental health and medical staffing, improved recruitment efforts, and seen an upward trend in hiring. In response to questions, the commissioner said barriers to recruitment and retention include the Tier 3 retirement system, the structured and restrictive nature of detention work, and competition from other employers. He also said the department wants to move toward a regional model for female facilities under SB 162 and believes those facilities can be staffed. DJJ provided staffing figures showing 1,339 funded positions, with 157 filled and 182 vacant at a January benchmark, and 524 detention positions with 450 filled and 74 vacant. Officials said 30 correctional officers were in basic training and expected to join posts soon. Members also asked about the feasibility of staffing additional facilities and the department’s vacancy trends. Finally, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council testified on a funding request for one attorney, one paralegal, one additional monitor, higher costs for existing monitor positions, and Lexington office rent. Officials said the request is needed to handle a growing decertification caseload and expanded oversight responsibilities as the number of academies has increased to about eight, with more than 2,100 instructors requiring biennial review. They said KLEC currently has one attorney and about 15 total staff, with roughly 180 cases pending, more than 50 complaints left to file, and another 30 cases expected soon. Members asked about current staffing, attorney salary, the number of academies, and the move to a separate Lexington office. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned without a quorum for approving minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Great job to go back... Representative Crane: Thank you so much.
• Great job to go back to your point on income tax.
• Great job to go back... Representative Crane: Thank you so much.
• Great job to go back to your point on income tax.
• And so there are a ton of those jobs out there that can actually do that.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their families by providing guidance that heart disease can be assumed to come from working these jobs
• Traumatic scenes that no person should be exposed to multiple times a day, but this is the job that we
• Obviously our job is much different. That's why we're called park rangers, not police officers.
• Jared did a... ...fantastic job of describing it.
• Workers who are injured on the job receive wage replacement that's already significantly reduced from

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former small business owner myself, I think that is our job here in the legislature: to do things
• As a former small business owner myself, I think that is our job here in the legislature: to do things
• As a former small business owner myself, I think that is our job here in the legislature: to do things
• This eliminates a lot of jobs.
• These aren't abstract jobs. They represent, or abstract numbers. 60%. These aren't abstract jobs.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on several alcohol-related bills. HB 2128 would expand the sports entertainment facility liquor license to cover publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons engage in sports, amusement, or recreational activities, such as the Leavenworth Adventure Park. The prime sponsor and supporters said it would modernize the license while keeping LCB safety controls in place; one member questioned whether it amounted to an expansion of alcohol access. A fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, and the public hearing was closed without action. The committee then heard HB 2207, which would create a bonded beer warehouse license and make related changes to bonded wine warehouse law. The sponsor said it would help a Ridgefield logistics warehouse store beer the same way it can already store wine and spirits, while supporters from the Washington Brewers Guild said it would give breweries parity with wineries. Distributors and other opponents raised concerns about direct-to-consumer shipping, public access to warehouses, and federal tax-and-trade restrictions; the sponsor said amendments were being considered to address some of those issues. The hearing was closed without action. HB 2536 would allow wineries to hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses, or beer and/or wine restaurant licenses, at additional winery locations. The sponsor and winery representatives said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let wineries operate tasting rooms and restaurant-style spaces more flexibly, while opponents argued it could broaden alcohol access and create tied-house concerns. HB 2476 would remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for theaters seeking a spirits, beer, and wine theater license; the sponsor and theater operators said existing alcohol control plans and other safeguards would remain in place, and the change would help theaters compete and attract patrons. The committee also heard HB 1701, which would allow multiple liquor licensees to operate within a shared facility and was described as a way to support a mixed-use winery/brewery/restaurant project; the sponsor said he was willing to remove the Public Records Act exemption again, and distributors urged transparency and guardrails. In executive action, the committee took up HB 2229, revising the Professional Engineers Registration Act. After adopting Amendment CLA 407 to restore current law on the board’s name, the committee voted to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. Several members supported the bill as a modernization of registration and continuing-education provisions, while some members voted no, citing concerns about changes to board membership requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was an objective around jobs with a target of 18 jobs and wages of $35,000 at a Washington LNG
• And we cannot state whether the jobs and wages at that LNG facility met the jobs objective.
• Because I will say JLARC does a fantastic job of getting us data based on the questions we ask.
• It depends on exactly what their occupation is, what the job they're doing in particular.
• Those tend to be high-paying jobs.

Summary: House Finance met in work session on January 13, 2026, beginning with the introduction of new member Rep. Janice Zahn and a reminder about short-session amendment deadlines. The committee then heard JLARC’s 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine preferences. JLARC recommended continuing several preferences, including natural gas transportation fuel exemptions, reduced B&O rates for travel agents and tour operators, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior centers, a sales and use tax remittance for disabled veteran adapted housing, a trade convention attendance nexus exemption, a B&O exemption for agricultural fertilizer and seed sales, and a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides. JLARC also recommended allowing unused silicon smelter-related preferences to expire. Members asked about legislative intent, data limitations, and how performance metrics should be tied more clearly to policy objectives; committee leaders and JLARC staff discussed a new standardized rubric for future tax preference performance statements and fiscal note review. The committee also noted that bills related to some of the reviewed preferences were already introduced. For the low-income housing exemption, JLARC said nonprofit developers were building homes as intended but that the current spending-based metric did not fully reflect the policy goal, and it recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify the preference. For multipurpose senior centers, JLARC said the exemption met its inferred objective and recommended continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For the disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, JLARC said few eligible veterans were claiming the benefit and recommended continuation with changes to improve access and consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs. On the trade convention attendance exemption, JLARC said use was unknown but the preference likely helped keep Washington competitive with other states and recommended continuation, though members questioned the lack of direct evidence and the administrative-burden rationale. The committee then received an update from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. The forecast showed the U.S. economy slowing but still growing, with Washington expected to have modest growth, weak employment gains, continued personal income growth, and slow construction. ERFC said tariffs and trade policy remained the biggest risks, inflation was expected to stay elevated in the near term, and the Federal Reserve had cut rates three times in 2025 with two more cuts projected in 2026. State revenues were up $105 million in the current biennium compared with the November forecast, but down $185 million in the next biennium, with growth driven in part by recent legislative changes and improved estate tax collections. Members asked about sector-specific employment trends, the impact of high-income households on retail sales, and how state revenues compare with personal income over time. The meeting adjourned after the forecast presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a big job and kept everyone really busy, but we were able to do that.
• The excellent job this office does also contributes to our huge workload.
• I think he's done a Great job in kind of balancing those.
• Look at the first one, just talk quickly about the Sooner Job Challenge Program.
• Oklahoma is doing a great job again.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota—projects we've paid for with our federal income tax dollars—that are closing roads, killing jobs
• roads, killing jobs, driving upheating bills,<00:02:12.239><c> and</c><00:02:12.480><c> increasing</
• And it is our job here to Republicans.
• And it is our job here to do<00:04:33.520><c> everything</c><00:04:33.840><c> we</c><00:04:34.080><c>
• Jobs are down and layoffs are up. Consumer spending is down and inflation is up.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to help our law enforcement officers do their job.
• That's what I do because my job is to get rid of the bad cops, because that takes care of the good cops
• The court's job is to harmonize competing laws.
• Their job is to defend—all of these organizations look to defend. ...and individual rights, and limit
• It resulted in three officers losing their jobs. Yes, sir.

Bills: SB 15

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• integrity and transparency of the process, but also, uh, help our law enforcement officers do their job
• That's what I do because my job is to get rid of the bad cops because that takes care of the good cops
• Court's job is to harmonize competing laws.
• It resulted in 3 officers losing their jobs. Yes sir.
• We also had investigations where the officers didn't lose their jobs, but it, but it's not mayors or

Bills: SB 15

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code