Transcript Highlights:

• First, the legislature requires a recurring review based on a defined set of study questions.
• Based on public data, we estimated that it saves about $1.2 million to $5.3 million.
• Based on public data, we estimated that it saves about $1.2 to $5.3 million.
• The preferences provide reduced B&O tax rates for beneficiaries based on annual income.
• The preferences provide reduced B&O tax rates for beneficiaries based on annual income.

Summary: The committee first received a JLARC work session on the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences and recommending legislative action on eight. JLARC reviewed natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, and several shorter reviews including senior center property tax relief, a disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, trade convention nexus treatment, wholesale sales of fertilizer/pesticides/seed, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and three energy-related preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally recommended continuing preferences that met stated or inferred objectives, modifying some to improve reporting or performance metrics, and allowing the unused silicon smelter preferences to expire. The Citizen Commission endorsed JLARC’s recommendations, and committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about trends in travel agent/tour operator beneficiaries and the housing exemption’s performance metric and data issues. The committee then heard a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. A presentation from California public banking advocates and the Bank of North Dakota described public banks as government-owned financial institutions intended to keep public funds working locally, support lending for housing, infrastructure, and community development, and partner with community banks and credit unions. Committee questions focused on leverage, liquidity, constitutional issues, and how the model would interact with existing state investment and debt structures. Staff summarized the bill’s structure, including activation conditions, governance, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting the fiscal note was largely indeterminate and startup costs could be significant. Public testimony on SB 5754 was divided. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor, educators, community advocates, and residents, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, improve access to capital, keep public money in Washington, and help finance infrastructure, housing, and disaster resilience. Opponents included community bankers and county treasurers, who warned about risks to safety and liquidity of public funds, questioned the need for a new institution given existing programs, and argued the proposal lacked a proven track record in Washington. The hearing concluded with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I'm looking at 30.4% accounts for all county revenue statewide based on charges for services, that's
• If you read left to right, it starts with tax base and the millage rate, and then you get the revenues
• Different budgeting practices like zero-based budgeting.
• That's not really. different budgeting practices like zero-based budgeting.
• You can't always move the millage rate up once you get to that point of the game.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs convened with a quorum and took up SB 308, a bill related to the Florida Museum of Black History. The bill would establish a Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and direct it to work with a supporting nonprofit foundation, while also requiring the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative assistance and staffing until planning, design, and engineering are complete. With no appearance forms or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The remainder of the meeting was an informational briefing from the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities on local government budgeting practices. Presenters explained how counties and cities develop budgets, the legal framework governing property taxes and other revenues, the distinction between restricted and unrestricted funds, and the role of constitutional officers, public safety, debt, pensions, and capital planning. They emphasized that most local revenues are restricted by law, that general funds are the main discretionary source, and that local governments must balance annual budgets while meeting mandated service levels. The presenters also discussed how property taxes, fees, local option taxes, and state-shared revenues support local services, and they highlighted the fiscal pressures created by public safety, emergency management, infrastructure, and retirement costs. Members asked questions about the share of local revenue that is unrestricted and the implications for any proposal to eliminate property taxes. The presenters responded that only a portion of county and municipal revenue is flexible, with much of it dedicated to specific purposes by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Redistricting should never be a tool to divide voters or disenfranchise people. ...based on race, age
• Of all people, not based on race, color, gender, or anything else.
• So based on the request in the letter, we are going to interject race-based considerations to redo these
• Asserting that we do not adjust the lines based on the assumptions of the DOJ.
• We need your help, not partisan map games.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also proud to introduce another California-based EDM leader, Kobe Danin.
• I'm also proud to introduce another California-based EDM leader, Kobe Danny. safely.
• I'm also proud to introduce another California-based EDM leader, Kobe Danin.
• Kobe is the founder and CEO Framework, a Los Angeles-based nightlife and event production company.
• He never missed a game, recital, or family milestone.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with a prayer, a Father’s Day reflection, and a moment of silence for the victims of the Minnesota lawmaker shooting. Members then moved through guest introductions recognizing student legislative programs, Black conservation leaders, interns, and first responders, including an off-duty firefighter who saved a driver’s life. The chamber also heard multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Senator and Los Angeles Councilman Nate Holden, whose civil rights and housing discrimination work was highlighted, along with tributes to Stephen Golden Kranz, Emily Carpenter, and Doug Kranwinkel. On the Daily File, the Assembly adopted ACR 90, Assembly Member Gibson’s resolution recognizing Juneteenth. The measure drew strong support from multiple caucuses, including the Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ, Women’s, and AAPI caucuses, with members emphasizing Juneteenth’s historical significance, the legacy of slavery, and the continuing need to combat racism and inequality. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 92, Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez’s resolution declaring June 2025 as Electronic Dance Music Month in California. Supporters described EDM as a cultural and economic force rooted in diverse communities and praised its values of inclusion and unity; the resolution received 65 co-authors and passed by voice vote. Finally, HR 45, Assembly Member Castillo’s resolution for Animal Rights Awareness Week, was adopted by voice vote after 55 co-authors were added, with the author and a guest from Sierra Pacific Fur Babies speaking about animal rescue and welfare work. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until June 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members are skilled carpenters.
• “I'm real active at Luke Air Force Base.
• They all operate based on different business models. Some of these are subscription-based apps.
• I'm not prescription-based, subscription-based apps.
• They set a score on that, and based upon that...

Bills: HB2118 , HB2181 , HB2308 , HB2309 , HB2402 , HB2476 , HB2682 , HB2698 , HB2875 , HB2877 , HB2903 , HB2910

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• around</c><00:26:54.640><c> uh</c><00:26:54.960><c> the</c><00:26:55.279><c> fact</c> area is all based
• around uh the fact area is all based around uh the fact that<00:26:55.679><c> it's</c><00:26:56.080>
• on the results of the aquifer and based on the results of<00:36:34.480><c> the</c><00:36:34.640><c>
• And then the second question<00:37:31.200><c> is</c><00:37:31.520><c> if</c><00:37:31.760><c> based</
• off of you know the question is if based off of you know the testing,<00:37:33.599><c> the</c><00:37

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1067, hunting lead and lead-based ammunition.
• </c> lead and lead-based ammunition. Face up. lead and lead-based ammunition. Face up.
• But this bill also encompasses small game such as squirrel.
• But this bill also encompasses small game such as squirrel.
• </c> game such as squirrel. game such as squirrel.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the, you know, what's the bigger picture of the bigger game plan?
• And that's what the $7 million is based upon? Okay.
• So that's constantly changing based on ballot measures and all that type of stuff throughout time.
• So that's constantly changing based on ballot measures and all that type of stuff throughout time.
• If you wanted to go on real tax because you don’t have a sales tax base, then do so.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The committee first took up House Joint Resolution 169, which would cap spending growth and was described by supporters as a taxpayer protection measure. Representative Taylor opposed it, arguing the legislature was already considering too many tax-related measures at once and lacked a broader strategy. The sponsor said the resolution was about limiting spending, not taxes, and offered a committee substitute that added fees and surcharges into the baseline and addressed tax credits. After discussion, the substitute was adopted and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HJR 169 do pass, with Taylor and Strickler voting no. The committee then heard House Bill 2819, which would allow rounding of cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being produced. The sponsor explained a committee substitute added safe-harbor language to protect merchants from lawsuits over rounding errors. Members asked about the rounding rules and confirmed the bill remained permissive rather than mandatory. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2819 do pass unanimously. House Bill 2746, sponsored by Representative Williams, would create a property tax map feature on the Department of Revenue website showing current levies and assessed values to improve transparency. Supporters said it would help homeowners compare assessments and understand property tax differences, while opponents and agency witnesses raised concerns about the large startup cost, estimated at about $7 million, the need to gather data from many counties, and the fact that some counties already provide similar information. The Department of Revenue and State Tax Commission witnesses said the data would be difficult to compile statewide and that local participation and data standards vary widely. The bill was heard, but no vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2329, which would gradually reduce the assessment ratio for personal property from about 33 1/3% to 18% over three years. The sponsor argued the tax is burdensome, especially for working families and businesses, and said it would encourage a broader shift away from personal property taxation. Supporters echoed that it is a highly visible and unpopular tax. Opponents, including a county assessor, warned the bill would sharply reduce local tax bases, especially in rural counties, and likely force levy increases on real property or cuts to schools and other districts. The hearing ended without a committee vote on HB 2329.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, before turning it back is I love going to Gopher games, get up to the stadium on occasion, and
• , get up to the stadium on occasion games, get up to the stadium on occasion and<00:13:16.079><c> if<
• So in this table, and this is the base resources line, is the same on both tables.
• The base resources show they reflect that transfer.
• </c> evaluate institutions based on content. evaluate institutions based on content.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And with their experience and their life skills, their life experiences, everything they have, I would

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Pensions convened with eight members present and took up House Bill 3479, sponsored by Representative Hovis. The bill was described as a technical correction to Kansas City police retirement law, changing one word so the service/age requirement would read “whichever occurs first” rather than “whichever occurs later.” The sponsor explained the intent was to ensure officers retire at age 65 or after 35 years of service, and noted the current wording could allow someone to work far beyond that threshold. Members asked questions about why the system uses both a service cap and an age cap, whether benefits max out at 35 years, and whether the bill should allow officers to continue working if they are still capable. Representative Bromley raised concerns about age-based limits and possible discrimination against older workers, while Representative Haley supported retaining experienced officers longer if they remain physically able. The sponsor said he would seek additional information and indicated the bill could be modified on the floor if needed. No witnesses testified in opposition or for informational purposes, and there were no votes or formal actions taken during the hearing. The chair closed the public hearing on House Bill 3479.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just want to be very clear, this is not the end game.
• So each year, based on per capita, we get a certain amount of resources to allocate.
• We are a cloud-based filing system.
• And based on that goal of trying to get an additional year of relief, we estimated the annual impact
• We used a 5% as the assumption for increased cost based on what we've seen in our prior experience.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with remarks on the Senate’s budget plan for affordable housing and homelessness, including a proposed $2 billion housing investment and full funding for HHAP rounds 7 and 8. The first major item was the administration’s housing reorganization and trailer bill package, which would codify the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC), consolidate multifamily housing finance programs into a one-stop application and award process, and shift some authority over bonds, tax credits, and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program. Administration officials said the goal was to reduce duplication, speed projects from award to construction, and improve accountability by aligning financing decisions. The LAO generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside and earlier reallocation of unused bond authority, and suggested preserving flexibility for integrated applications and reporting back on the proposed 70/30 split for housing versus sustainable communities funding. Committee members, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the new committee structure could add process and delay, and questioned whether the proposal was effectively repurposing the climate-oriented ASIC program into a housing finance tool without enough direct investment in core housing programs. Administration witnesses responded that the structure was meant to create transparency, public accountability, and simultaneous financing awards, and said the proposal was only a first step in a broader consolidation effort. Members also asked about specific programs such as the Joe Serna Farm Worker Housing Grant Program and the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program, and staff said those would remain within the broader streamlined framework or the flexible sustainable communities allocation. The committee then heard from CDLAC and TCAC on federal tax credit changes and state housing finance. Staff explained that H.R. 1 increased the federal 9% LIHTC allocation and, more importantly, lowered the bond-financing threshold for 4% credits from 50% to 25%, allowing California to finance many more projects. They reported emergency regulations were adopted quickly to implement the change, resulting in 195 projects and more than 25,000 units in the 4% program, while the 9% program funded 58 projects and nearly 3,000 units. Members asked about the value of the state low-income housing tax credit program and rehabilitation projects; staff said state credits remain important for filling financing gaps and that a portion of bond and credit resources is now set aside for acquisition and rehabilitation. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights rollbacks and on three limited-term or expiring programs: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal closures and funding cuts have increased demand on the department, which now has more than 12,000 open matters, up from 8,700 a year earlier, and a six-month wait for intake interviews despite overtime triage and early case screening. Members urged continued funding for the programs, arguing they are essential as federal protections weaken; department staff said California vs. Hate connects callers quickly to support services, the conflict resolution unit fills a gap left by the shuttered federal counterpart, and the limited-term investigators have helped reduce wait times even as filings continue to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator player in the game. He did indeed. Further discussion. All those in favor say aye. Aye.
• There's a formula that is based on that amount of funding there.
• demographics of the community and the capacity of the community to afford, based on household income
• </c> formula of grants and loans often based formula of grants and loans often based on<00:28:19.039>
• Thank you. services are based on equity and not services are based on equity and not equality.<00:47:

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona Game and Fish Commission appointment recommendation board: Richard B. Williams.
• Arizona Game and Fish Commission appointment recommendation board: Richard B. Williams.

Summary: The Senate convened, took attendance, approved the journal, and received gubernatorial communications and nominations. Several nominations were referred to committee, and messages from the House were entered, including transmission of Senate Bills 1058, 1237, and 1294 to the Governor. The chamber recessed for caucus, then reconvened and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2082, HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296 (the transcript also contains some misstatements of bill numbers/titles). Amendments were adopted on HB 282, HB 2749, and HB 296, including a Rogers floor amendment to HB 2749 establishing a sunset and a Shope floor amendment to HB 296 making technical and coordination changes related to water infrastructure and the Clean Water Act. The Committee of the Whole reported all of those measures do pass as amended, and the Senate later adopted the report. The Senate then took up additional business, including confirmation votes on gubernatorial nominees. John A. Conley, Ruby Dylan Williams, Thomas J. Connolly, Charles Essex, and Dr. Lynette Levesay were all confirmed. The chamber then passed several House bills on third reading, including HB 2308, HB 4011, HB 2049 as an emergency measure, HB 2253, and HB 2663, with recorded votes largely showing 24 ayes and 0 nays. Committee announcements were made for upcoming Natural Resources and Education meetings. Near adjournment, Senator Epstein gave a personal privilege statement criticizing ICE conduct in a Minnesota case and calling for accountability, and Senator Gonzales thanked her and offered birthday wishes to a family member. The Senate then adopted a motion to notify the Governor of the day’s confirmations and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, subject to earlier recall by the President if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• From 6 to 7 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, we have pickup basketball games.
• The Lieutenant Governor often joins us for pickup basketball games.

Transcript Highlights:

• make sure that your position and what you feel can actually be expressed through the communication skills
• In fact, much of Governor Cheryl's campaign was based on the theme of affordability. Thank you.
• Governor Cheryl's campaign was based on the theme of affordability.
• What was important to me was that this increase was not based on the zip code where that child lived.
• But those limits mean towns can't grow their tax base.

Transcript Highlights:

• offers in-person financial literacy for adults, teaching them real-life budgeting and the necessary skills
• funding to create some of these nuclear verdicts as they're referred to that you see in the insurance base
• co-ops, affordable housing, family-owned farms, rural businesses, nonprofits, and other community-based
• Health centers receive only 65% of what commercial plans pay other office-based practices for a physician
• We partner with dozens of organizations in the state, from community-based providers and clinics... .

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not going to be based on income, right? Right.
• It'll be based on what maybe they're the people that they know and that sort of thing.
• It's not going to be based on income, right? Right.
• It'll be based on what maybe they're the people that they know and that sort of thing.
• They are designated and structured and were developed with different universities and research-based

Bills: HR174 , HR194 , HCR98 , SB39 , SB124 , SB190 , SB236 , SB270 , SB273 , SB359 , SB415 , SB426 , SB437 , SB451

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• So these projects all go through an agency-based vetting process that then LFC also participates in.
• The Aging Department has an application-based process for the senior centers, and higher education has
• LFC sits on the Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee that considers and scores those requests based
• These are, again, highly skilled, high-wage employees with an average salary of $92,000.
• We must invest in community-based solutions.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard a series of capital, bond, environmental, economic development, juvenile justice, and health care bills. Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay package, was presented as a $1.3 billion statewide appropriation, including discretionary capital projects and agency projects; after questions about CYFD projects and House/Senate capital allocations, the committee voted do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 248, the general obligation bond package totaling about $392.5 million for senior centers, libraries, higher education, and tribal projects, also received a do pass after questions about project vetting, bond timing, and school bus funding. House Bill 80, which increases the share of oil and gas conservation tax revenue going to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund to speed orphan well plugging and site cleanup, drew strong support from business, environmental, and industry groups; members discussed funding balances, procurement bottlenecks, and the distinction between abandoned and orphan wells before voting do pass. House Bill 184, making technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and related distribution rules, passed with little debate. The committee also heard Senate Bill 172, which expands the TRIGGER program allowing companies to access national laboratory expertise; supporters from the labs, the governor’s office, universities, and business groups cited job creation, follow-on investment, and commercialization gains, while one senator raised concerns about the long extension of the program. The bill passed do pass. House Bill 95, creating a judge for the First and Second Judicial Districts, was described as matching a previously heard Senate bill and passed do pass. Senate Bill 165, a major juvenile justice bill, generated the most extensive debate: the sponsor said it updates the juvenile code, raises the age for certain serious offenses, extends services for youth sentenced as adults, and expands community corrections; law enforcement supported it, while the Public Defender, youth advocates, the ACLU, and a Bernalillo County commissioner opposed it, arguing it expands adult sentencing and relies too heavily on incarceration. Despite those objections, the committee voted do pass. Finally, House Bill 4, which increases the Health Care Affordability Fund distribution to support premium assistance and related coverage programs, was amended so that a portion of the premium surtax would go to the Behavioral Health Program Fund and any unexpended balance would revert to the affordability fund. Supporters from BeWell, health advocacy groups, the insurance office, and homeless services said the bill would protect coverage gains and help offset federal changes; members asked about the amendment’s effect on the behavioral health fund and the bill’s flexibility if revenues decline. The amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• My colleagues all come to this committee with a different skill set, and it's greatly appreciated.
• We've incorporated a number of suggestions based on concerns that were raised, so we're very happy and
• price also, I'm wondering, was there any thought given to putting into the law a COLA, an increase based
• price also, I'm wondering, was there any thought given to putting into the law a COLA, an increase based
• So as we were stating, we have programs based on our federal drought status for weather... ...based on

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• There were specific quotas set based on demographics to ensure representation across gender, age, areas
• So based on the sort of legal systems of those countries, the enforcement and the penalties can vary
• Arrest decisions will continue to be based on a totality of circumstances.
• The 0.05 standard is a measured, evidence-based practice for public safety.
• The cost of a fatal or serious injury crash is based on the federal formula.

Bills: SB5234 , SB6110 , SB6176

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation, vehicle license fee, RCW 46.17, fee schedule, renewal fee, initial fee, Washington state, electric-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, transportation regulation, safety standards