Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2 makes numerous reductions and changes to the Health and Human Services budget.
• The list of reductions in the Health and Human Services budget is long, and even after all the reductions
• </c><00:31:53.240><c> to</c><00:31:53.440><c> the</c> devastating reductions to the devastating reductions
• </c><00:32:17.960><c> to</c> and even after all the reductions to and even after all the reductions to
• Members, the reduction for UNH was from 91 to 66.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee met for final approval of HB 1 and HB 2, with legislative budget staff Michael Kain reviewing the final amendment documents and surplus statements. Kain explained that HB 1474H and HB 1484H incorporated the committee’s prior votes and the Governor’s recommended sections, and he walked through the budget math for the general fund, education trust fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He said the committee’s proposal remained balanced overall, though the current-year general fund showed a projected deficit that HB 2 would address by allowing a possible rainy day fund transfer if needed. He also noted that the committee’s revenue estimates were below the Governor’s, requiring reductions and adjustments to appropriations and lapse assumptions. Members discussed the rainy day fund provisions, including a section in HB 2 that suspends existing restrictions so a transfer can be made if the deficit materializes. Kain said the committee’s approach differed from the Governor’s because the state was not below the overall revenue plan, and the fiscal committee would retain a role in determining any transfer. He also summarized that the Highway Fund would end with about a $13 million balance and Fish and Game with about $3 million, both without additional general fund support. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2 unanimously: Amendment 1473H, a technical cleanup to the Group 2 retirement seven-year rule, and Amendment 1482H, a technical correction to the recreational services language. Amendment 1484H, which incorporated those changes into HB 2, was adopted on a 14-1 vote after minority members objected to the bill’s broader cuts and policy changes, including reductions to state agencies, health and human services, and education-related provisions. The committee also adopted Amendment 1474H to HB 1A on a 14-1 vote after similar debate over budget reductions, vacancies, university funding, and school spending limits. Finally, the committee voted 14-1 to report HB 1A and HB 2 as amended as ought to pass, with the minority voting no and the committee planning a full House presentation the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what would this reduction mean for our tax competitiveness?
• So what would this reduction mean for our tax competitiveness?
• This is the case we're talking about: just an income tax reduction.
• So it took about 20 years for the final reduction to be fully implemented.
• What's the start date, I guess, of the reduction?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state’s tax collection cap/62F process so it would be based on prior-year collections plus wage growth and include surtax revenue. The committee chair and House co-chair outlined the hearing process, and the first witness was Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, who testified as the committee’s subject-matter expert on both measures. He said the income tax proposal would lower taxes broadly but would reduce state revenue by about $5.4 billion when fully implemented, with an estimated $800 million hit in FY27, and he discussed possible effects on competitiveness, taxpayer savings, and public finances. On the 62F proposal, he said the revised cap would make refunds more likely, could have produced several large refunds in recent years, and would reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Committee members questioned Howgate about competitiveness, outmigration, prior tax ballot measures, spending growth, MassHealth, and the interaction between the income tax and surtax. He emphasized that taxes are only one part of the state’s overall competitiveness and that housing, public services, and other factors also matter. He also noted that the surtax is constitutionally restricted but can still support ongoing spending choices. After his testimony, the committee moved to the proponents’ panel. Proponents of both initiatives, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Business, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that the measures would improve affordability, help retain residents and businesses, and support job growth. They cited polling support, outmigration, small-business reinvestment, and comparisons to lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, said her model showed smaller revenue losses than critics claim and projected that the revised revenue cap would not create additional annual revenue losses while producing more regular taxpayer refunds. Committee members pressed the panel on competitiveness, prior ballot initiative implementation, and whether the measures would actually address broader affordability pressures; the hearing ended with the committee continuing to take questions from the proponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• in</c><00:02:49.200><c> teacher</c> some budget reductions in teacher some budget reductions in teacher
• </c> what programs would receive reductions what programs would receive reductions was<00:14:58.639><
• special</c> includes reductions in special includes reductions in special education,<00:15:05.519><c
• </c><00:20:48.320><c> in</c> and that is uh receiving a reduction in and that is uh receiving a reduction
• </c> reduction for the 2025 2026 school year. reduction for the 2025 2026 school year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that staff recommends a reduction to $6,120.
• What's the reduction? And so in the...
• The filer requested a reduction to $1,120.95.
• Staff recommends a reduction to $2,000.
• Staff recommends no further waiver or reduction.

Keywords: Texas Ethics Commission, legislative recommendations, general counsel appointment, foreign lobbying, political contributions, quarterly meetings, public testimony, rule amendments

Summary: The meeting focused on the Texas Ethics Commission's (TEC) evaluation of legislative recommendations and personnel updates, including the appointment of a new general counsel and discussions about upcoming quarterly meetings. Commissioner Schmidt reported on the progress of various bills, including amendments to existing laws, the need for increased regulation on foreign lobbying, and the publication of new rules in the Texas Register. Public testimonies were heard regarding compliance issues and proposed changes in political contribution regulations. The Commission agreed to schedule further review on the legislative items discussed and the proposed rule amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, we're seeing with EVs and so on a reduction of highway transportation funds.
• If you're using those, then you're 70% reduction.
• And CEC has made clear that demand reductions are a critical stabilization strategy.
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund expenditure plan and trailer bill language.
• To achieve the state's ambitious methane reduction goals. Thank you. Good afternoon.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:20.959><c> for</c> forecasted fund balance reduction for forecasted fund balance reduction
• So how much more an reduction.
• No reduction to 20 weeks. duration. No reduction to 20 weeks. Nothing<00:17:57.039><c> else.
• </c><00:18:49.679><c> in</c> see, has a 1% fund balance reduction in see, has a 1% fund balance reduction
• . reductions. reductions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , reduction, reduction, the<00:05:06.000><c> impact</c><00:05:06.480><c> on</c><00:05:06.560><c> the<
• If the reduction lasts 1 month, the If the reduction lasts 1 month, the impact<00:07:31.640><c> is</c
• So that's if the gas tax reduction is in effect for 1 month.
• So that's if the gas tax reduction is in effect for 1 month.
• He was okaying a 30-day reduction of 10 cents a gallon.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:22 Overview/Impact of Executive Order 47:02 General Funds in Road Plan 50:37 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met for its first meeting and received an overview from Transportation Cabinet officials on the governor’s executive order responding to high gas prices. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock and budget director Shawn McKiernan explained that the order declared a state of emergency, reduced the state motor fuels tax by 10 cents per gallon, froze the tax rate for FY27, and urged Congress to suspend the federal gas tax. They said the emergency regulation would remain in effect until the war in Iran ends or Kentucky gas prices fall below $3 per gallon, and that any transportation budget shortfalls could be covered by the state budget reserve trust fund if requested later by the governor. McKiernan estimated the 10-cent reduction would reduce the road fund by about $26.8 million per month, with roughly 44% flowing to county road aid, rural secondary, and municipal road aid. He said the immediate impact to counties and cities would be about $11.8 million for one month, while the cabinet would see about $15 million per month less available for its own use. He also said the freeze on the FY27 motor fuels tax rate would prevent a scheduled increase and, compared with the budget assumption, would produce about $42 million in net additional revenue, split between local governments and the cabinet. He added that if the reduction lasted through December, the major transportation programs could be down about 16.9% from budgeted levels. Members focused on the effect on local governments, the road fund, and the cabinet’s cash management process. Several senators and representatives criticized the executive order as short-sighted or political, while others emphasized the need for a long-term solution to transportation funding. Questions were raised about how make-whole payments to counties and cities would be handled, how the cabinet manages cash flow, and whether the state should continue relying on general fund transfers to support the road plan. Cabinet officials said they would work with lawmakers, explained that project authorizations are managed based on cash flow and seasonal spending patterns, and noted that construction and maintenance costs have risen sharply, making revenue adequacy a continuing concern.

Transcript Highlights:

• or insurable loss reduction.
• Was it a 16% sort of projected risk reduction?
• Just a question: if Cal Fire is doing risk reduction modeling, why do you think SB 326...
• You have to tighten the link between risk reduction and insurance so it's very, very clear.
• We do strongly support a wildfire risk reduction legislative package this year.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The $5 million reduction there represents 11% of the funds overall.
• Reductions will limit access for students furthest from opportunity.
• The $138,000 reduction would double to $276,000. Thank you very much.
• We urge you against the short-sighted reduction proposed in this budget.
• Washington's the short-sighted reduction proposed in this budget.

Bills: HB2289

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• The net reduction in carbon emissions, this is point number three, would be small and expensive.
• And meanwhile, we're seeing with EVs and so on reduction of highway transportation funds.
• If you're using those, then you're 70% reduction.
• And CEC has made clear that demand reductions are a critical stabilization strategy.
• Greenhouse gas reduction fund expenditure plan and trailer bill language.

Summary: The subcommittee heard testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation, support refinery transitions, and keep fuel production and jobs in California. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited climate benefits, and would reduce diesel excise tax revenue that supports highways, local streets and roads, and other transportation programs. A major point of debate was whether the credit would simply shift limited feedstocks from renewable diesel to SAF rather than create new low-carbon fuel supply. Professor Aaron Smith and the LAO said that because feedstocks such as used cooking oil, tallow, and vegetable oils are limited and already used in other fuel markets, the policy could increase SAF at the expense of renewable diesel, with possible increases in fuel prices and little net emissions benefit. Administration and CARB staff disputed that outcome, saying additional waste-based feedstocks are available and that the policy would not meaningfully raise gasoline or diesel prices. Senators focused on feedstock availability, impacts on road funding, fairness to consumers, and whether the proposal was really aimed at preserving specific refineries such as Phillips 66. Public comment was sharply divided. Labor representatives, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, airports, and some local residents supported the proposal, emphasizing jobs, refinery investment, and aviation’s need for a liquid-fuel decarbonization pathway. Environmental and transportation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, World Resources Institute, Earthjustice, California Environmental Voters, counties, cities, and trucking and asphalt associations, opposed it, citing weak net climate benefits, possible fuel-price impacts, and losses to transportation funding. No vote was taken; the chair announced all items would be held open for a future hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A minimum of a 50% reduction, but we know some feedstocks can result in up to an 80% reduction as well
• A minimum of a 50% reduction, but we know some feedstocks can result in up to an 80% reduction as well
• A minimum of a 50% reduction, but we know some feedstocks can result in up to an 80% reduction as well
• Some are actually carbon neutral, 100% carbon reduction.
• </c><00:57:07.920><c> of</c> indicating a potential CI reduction of indicating a potential CI reduction

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector. Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity. Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• needs to show that they're making progress towards that reduction that they need to meet.
• They're required to do BMPs in a BMAP area, and that gets to a certain load reduction.
• In some cases, we know that nutrient reduction above what BMAPs do needs to be addressed in order to
• And you can see, you know, some very significant nitrogen and phosphorus reductions have been able to
• We really look at where we're going to get the maximum nutrient reduction, that they're shovel-ready,

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee heard two informational presentations. First, the Department of Environmental Protection gave an overview of Florida’s water quality framework, explaining how numeric nutrient criteria, monitoring, TMDLs, and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) are used to address impaired waters. DEP described recent changes intended to increase accountability, including five-year milestones in BMAPs, requirements for advanced wastewater treatment by 2033 in certain cases, limits on new conventional septic systems where sewer is available, enhanced nutrient-reducing septic requirements where sewer is not available, and a new agricultural regional water quality improvement element. The department also highlighted the Water Quality Improvement Grant Program, which has received nearly $1.4 billion over four years and funded more than 300 projects, as well as a public dashboard showing funded projects and a forthcoming trend-analysis dashboard for monitoring data. Members asked about enforcement of BMAP milestones, septic-to-sewer coordination with local governments, PFAS and microplastics monitoring, septic system performance standards, wastewater facility compliance, and how many facilities remain below advanced wastewater treatment standards. DEP said it can enforce BMAP obligations through administrative orders, consent orders, court action, fines, and permit conditions, and that it inspects and verifies wastewater facilities while relying on reporting and site inspections for sewer infrastructure. The department also said nutrient-reducing septic systems must achieve a 65 percent reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus, with verification required when projects seek BMAP credit. The committee then heard from the chief resilience officer on the Resilient Florida program, created in 2021 to address sea-level rise and coastal flooding. The presentation reviewed planning grants, vulnerability assessments, and the statewide critical-asset assessment, noting that all counties and most municipalities are expected to complete assessments by the end of 2026 and that vulnerability is now an eligibility requirement for future project funding. The program reported major statewide outcomes, including stormwater storage, miles of infrastructure and roadway protection, acres restored, and coastal protection projects, and highlighted examples such as breakwater improvements and lift-station elevation. Members asked about project delays, funding totals, overlap with other funding sources, and project prioritization; the program said delays often stem from design and permitting after award, that its reported totals reflect only grants it administers, and that projects are scored under the same criteria rather than being prioritized by asset type. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:14.880><c> in</c> has seen about a 20% reduction in has seen about a 20% reduction in greenhouse
• Um and I'll we're seeing that reduction.
• </c><00:49:07.599><c> of</c> transportation has seen a reduction of transportation has seen a reduction
• The net reductions goals and state law.
• The witness said Minnesota has state statutory goals of a 30% reduction by 2025, a 50% reduction by 2030

Bills: HF3556

Keywords: community solar, energy, solar power, renewable energy, Melissa Hortman, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I just clarify then, just on the tax reductions? It sounds like you won't.
• The reductions right now are at about somewhere between 18 and 20% of the revenue from the bill.
• Can I just clarify then just on the tax reductions? It sounds like you won't.
• We think that there's room to identify some additional tax reductions without moving into a space reductions
• The reductions right now are at about somewhere between 18 and 20% of the revenue from the bill.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the session’s fast-moving cutoff period, the supplemental budget, and several major bills moving through committee. They said they had advanced a number of Senate bills, including the face mask bill, a bill on access to abortion medication, a bill on mobile devices in schools, and upcoming measures on driver privacy and IRS tax issues. They also said the House Finance Committee had held a hearing on the proposed millionaire’s tax, and that the budget would continue to emphasize food, shelter, health care, and continuity of government services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-driven remote sign-ins and testimony on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote participation has broadened public access and they do not want to shut it down, but they acknowledged the system may need interim tweaks to improve accuracy. They said the issue appears unprecedented, that they learned of it through a complaint to the House chief clerk, and that legislative tech staff and Senate operations leaders would review possible changes after session. They also stressed that sign-in counts should be treated cautiously and are not the same as votes. The lawmakers also discussed the proposed income tax on high earners, defending it as constitutional and necessary to fund state priorities. They argued that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, McCleary-related school funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. In response to questions about tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill is unlikely to move further this session, though the issue will continue to be worked on over the interim. They said the state needs to reduce liability through prevention and alternative dispute processes rather than through unconstitutional damage caps. On the millionaire’s tax process, leaders said the House Finance Committee is expected to add more tax reductions than the version heard that morning, with a goal of reaching roughly 25 to 40 percent in reductions and likely avoiding a conference committee if the House and Senate can concur. They said the bill may still include a sales-tax-on-services change, but that the final package is still being negotiated. They also said they do not support extending the tax to incomes below $1 million, and that no decision had been made on a possible governor-backed sales tax holiday.

Transcript Highlights:

• The $5 million reduction there represents 11% of the funds overall.
• Reductions will limit access for students furthest from opportunity.
• We urge you against the short-sighted reduction proposed in this budget.
• We urge you against the short-sighted reduction proposed in this budget.
• Washington's the short-sighted reduction proposed in this budget.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, our most exciting piece on this is the tab fee reduction.
• But, our most exciting piece on this is the tab fee reduction.
• But, our most exciting piece on this is the tab fee reduction.
• </c> nickel down on the tab fee reductions nickel down on the tab fee reductions and<00:04:33.760><c>
• :18.520><c> it's</c><00:07:18.600><c> about</c> take that rate reduction, it's about take that rate reduction

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Legislators and reporters discussed the final contours of a Minnesota bonding and tax package centered on a $1.2 billion capital investment bill. Supporters said the bill would fund state and local infrastructure projects, maintain state assets, and include anti-fraud measures such as electronic verification for service providers and a 100% excess tax on fraud proceeds to prevent offenders from profiting. They also said the package would backfill road-and-bridge funding so the fee reduction would not reduce transportation dollars. A major point of emphasis was a temporary reduction in tab fees, described as a $254 million savings for taxpayers in 2027. Republicans said the reduction was a top priority and that it was secured through negotiations, though they acknowledged it is only a one-year reprieve unless changed in a future session. They estimated the average savings at about $145 on a $50,000 vehicle, with larger savings for households with multiple vehicles. They also noted that the first proposal had included both a depreciation change and a rate change, but only the rate cut remained in the final compromise. In response to questions, lawmakers said the tab fee cut was driven by constituent complaints and that they would try to extend it next year. They also discussed related transportation issues, including accelerating collection of an auto parts sales tax and concerns about greenhouse gas-related costs for roads and bridges. On other topics, one lawmaker said gun control proposals in the House were not part of these negotiations and urged continued movement on the broader package. No formal vote was taken in the exchange, but participants expressed confidence that the bonding portion of the deal was largely settled, while some details of the full package still needed to be finalized.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were 8 prior late reports, so this was not eligible for any waiver or reduction.
• In light of that information, staff recommends a reduction to 250.
• Um, the filer requested a reduction to $1,125.
• Staff recommends a reduction to $2000.
• Uh, and staff recommends no further waiver or reduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's not a reduction; it's just a pure backfill of Prop 4 money.
• We really look at our fuel reduction as the overall category.
• Recently, iBank pursued and won funding from the Federal Inflation Reduction Act's Greenhouse Gas Reduction
• Will a shortage affect our ability to do fuel reduction?
• Additionally, it has an improved fuel reduction output.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Health education, stigma reduction, And increased access to relevant health care.
• My name is Celina, and I'm a co-director at the Yuba Harm Reduction Collective.
• I just want to say a little bit about harm reduction.
• To address the reductions, programs have worked to make adjustments by limiting.
• With regards to the impact of the reduction that was incurred this year, the reduction led to a decrease

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a 2% to 4% at most add-on to a building, and sometimes it's actually a reduction in cost because
• Sometimes it's actually a reduction in cost because when you build for lowering embodied carbon, a lot
• So we urge your support in helping us meet our 95% greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2050.
• There are no mandatory embodied carbon reductions in this law.
• I do want to state that our industry does share a goal with carbon reduction.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several housing, building code, and permitting bills. HB 2228 would direct the State Building Code Council to convene a technical advisory group to recommend code amendments allowing scissor stairs in buildings with more than two dwelling units. Supporters, including architects, builders, and housing advocates, said scissor stairs could improve safety, reduce corridor and stair footprint, lower costs, and allow more efficient and denser housing layouts. The bill was then closed to public hearing. HB 2381 would create a performance-based code pathway for low-rise residential buildings and allow recognition of third-party certifications. The chair described it as a move from prescriptive to performance-based standards, with flexibility for builders and potential alignment with clean building goals. The Building Industry Association of Washington opposed the bill as written, saying the main need is a performance pathway in the energy code rather than the IBC, while FutureWise supported the concept but urged caution about the complexity and timeline of converting code to performance-based standards. The public hearing on HB 2381 was closed after testimony. HB 2418 would change permit review processes, including vesting rules for residential project permits in urban growth areas, pausing review clocks in certain circumstances, extending timelines to other fee-charging reviewing entities, and requiring a single permit responsible official and point of contact by 2027. Builders, developers, and housing advocates generally supported the bill’s coordination and timeline provisions, saying they would reduce delays and costs, though several groups raised concerns about the vesting section and completeness definitions. FutureWise and county representatives warned the vesting changes could create litigation or records issues, while the sponsor said the vesting portion might be reconsidered. The committee also heard HB 2273, which would require embodied carbon reduction standards for larger building projects through reuse, product-based reductions, or whole-building life-cycle assessment. Support came from architects, Commerce, and environmental justice advocates, who said the bill would reduce climate impacts and encourage innovation; opponents from the concrete and aggregate industry and a taxpayer group raised concerns about costs, supply-chain issues, conflicts with other legislation, and exemptions such as for schools. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the public hearings.