Video & Transcript : 'building owners' :
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Trade, Workforce & Economic Developent Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the owner of Urban Space.
- A county and state have to provide to our building compared to a 319 home single family neighborhood
- Um, at our core, we're a housing company and we are the nation's largest owner developer of affordable
- The person also must not be a current or former tenant of the property owner, and the provision, this
- And I think right now it's time for Texas to step up and protect property owners.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Developent Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the owner of Urban Space.
- Most of the people that move into these buildings, they walk.
- The amount of resources our city, county, and state have to provide to... to our building compared to
- The person also... ...must not be a current or former tenant of the property owner.
- For the property's legitimate owner, the issue is about property rights.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-13 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In those five years, that’s given the opportunity to build something and continue to build something
- This is about property owners.
- And what the property owners do with their property is a separate issue.
- So you're referring to Section C, affected property owner.
- Buildings are permanent, sprawl is permanent.
Summary:
The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions of guests and staff. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on several bills, including transportation facility designations (SB 628), affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (HB 1389), utility services (HB 1451), education (HB 1279 substituted for SB 7038), data centers (SB 484), and land use/development regulations (SB 208/HB 399). Several other measures were temporarily postponed, including education, emergency services, and environmental rule ratification bills.
On SB 628, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-4. On the affordable housing bill, senators discussed the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including a new provision allowing certain affordable housing on religious institution property, removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and changes to tax exemption and expiration provisions; the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 35-0. On the utility services bill, the House amendment shortened the surcharge phase-out timeline and advanced reporting dates; the Senate concurred and passed the bill 30-6. The education package was substituted with the House companion, amended to include agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid, and passed 36-1.
The data centers bill drew extensive debate over transparency and ratepayer protections. Senators questioned the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and whether costs could be shifted to residential and commercial customers. Supporters said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections and maintained local land-use authority, while critics objected to the loss of transparency and the possibility of local NDAs. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-6.
The land use and development bill generated the most contentious discussion. Amendments addressed a Fontainebleau/Miami Beach resort water park issue, a sunset provision, and a major rural boundary/property rights proposal affecting counties such as Orange and Seminole. Senators debated whether the rural boundary language protected property rights or undermined local planning and environmental safeguards, with concerns raised about takings, county liability, and the use of an Attorney General opinion. The transcript cuts off during extended debate on that amendment, so no final vote on the land use bill is shown in the excerpt.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Feb 12th, 2025
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the owner of Coastal Plan in Timber County, and I am also a third-term County Commissioner.
- Jeff Pitz is the owner, and he... ...in the world.
- Jeff Pitz is the owner, and he lives five miles down the road from my house.
- So, I just want to remind y'all that, like I said, the owner of Pitz Trailers, he builds the same trailers
- It causes distress, and that distress builds over time. The distress builds over time.
Keywords:
weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 5th, 2025
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Feb 2nd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- In the bill before you, beginning July 1st, 2027, building and construction trade apprenticeship programs
- Senate Bill 6282 is about recognizing that people who build our state, our schools, our roads, our homes
- One that wasn't made, though, is adding public owners, because right now it's just private owners, and
- I'm the owner of Skagit Organics, a licensed cannabis processor.
- I'm an owner, co-owner of a Tier 2 grow operation in Snohomish County.
Bills:
SB6053 , SB6134 , SB6147 , SB6106 , SB6045 , SB6135 , SB6128 , SB6282 , SB6068 , SB6303 , SB6290
Committee:
Senate Labor & Commerce
Keywords:
SB 6053, domestic workers, domestic worker rights, labor protections, minimum wage, overtime, private household employment, nanny, home care worker, personal care provider, housekeeper, cleaner, cook, gardener, household manager, wage theft, retaliation, anti-discrimination, immigration status, privacy rights
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Mike Innes here on behalf of the Building Industry Association of Washington.
- We will also continue to notify the owners so that they may also be aware that we've been on site.
- We will also continue to notify the owners so that they may also So. also continue to notify the owners
- Patrick Connor with NFIB, representing Washington's small business owners.
- Patrick Connor with NFIB, representing Washington's small business owners.
Summary:
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held its first meeting of the session and heard four bills. HB 2107 would make permanent and slightly narrow a temporary L&I requirement that, after an on-site safety inspection at a building construction site, the agency make a good-faith effort to notify the owner or employer within 10 working days if an immediately identified hazard could injure a worker. Construction industry groups and L&I supported the bill and said the pilot had worked well, with L&I reporting it had been able to notify owners almost 96% of the time during about 1,400 inspections.
HB 2137 would remove the population threshold for binding interest arbitration for correctional employees in city and county jails. Teamsters representatives said the change would give corrections officers in smaller jurisdictions the same bargaining rights as other uniformed personnel and help address safety, staffing, and wage inequities. County representatives opposed the bill, saying it would increase bargaining and compensation costs for many counties, and asked for amendments requiring arbitrators to consider county finances and making awards nonbinding on county legislative authorities.
HB 2264 would clarify unemployment insurance eligibility for workers who opt into an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan, even if they can rescind their decision, so long as the termination results from the employer’s plan. Supporters said current court rulings create confusing and unfair denials of benefits for workers who leave in good faith during layoffs; NFIB raised questions about severance, retirement, and UI solvency. HB 2243 would allow physical therapists and occupational therapists to serve as attending providers in the workers’ compensation system. Physical therapy and occupational therapy advocates said this would speed care and return workers to work sooner, while retailers, food industry representatives, NFIB, the Washington State Medical Association, and L&I raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, added costs, and the possibility that all PTs and OTs would have to join the provider network. No votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 13th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Mike Innes here on behalf of the Building Industry Association of Washington.
- We will also continue to notify the owners so that they may also... ...continue to notify the owners
- We will also continue to notify the owners so that they may also So. also continue to notify the owners
- Patrick Connor with NFIB, representing Washington's small business owners.
- Patrick Connor with NFIB, representing Washington's small business owners.
Committee:
House Labor & Workplace Standards
Keywords:
construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction, 904
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Media Availability on 2026 Omnibus Tax Bill - 04/30/26
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> platforms and their billionaire owners. platforms and their billionaire owners.
- That's an incredibly important bill that helps build transitions, helps build relationships between parents
- </c><00:19:24.440><c> transitions,</c><00:19:25.240><c> helps</c><00:19:25.520><c> build</c> helps build
- transitions, helps build helps build transitions, helps build relationships<00:19:26.679><c> between
- </c> the next generation, helps build the next generation, helps build relationships<00:19:32.360><c>
Summary:
Senate Tax Committee members presented a tax omnibus bill they said was a bipartisan effort aimed at making life more affordable and responding to federal policy changes they argued are increasing costs and harming Minnesota families, communities, farmers, and businesses. Chair Rest and other senators described the bill as a response to federal cuts to health care and food support, and said it also complements other Senate action on health and human services.
Key provisions highlighted included a 12% increase in property tax refunds for homeowners, described as more than $100 million in direct relief; a $2 million provision related to Operation Metro Transit; a new health care sales tax in Hennepin County to replace an expiring local sales tax and help stabilize hospitals such as HCMC and North Memorial, with funds for uncompensated care and facility upkeep; and a social media tax on the largest platforms, which supporters said would raise revenue without affecting Minnesota residents. Senators also emphasized a sustainable aviation fuel credit, framed as a climate and economic development measure that could support in-state production and agricultural feedstocks.
Members also discussed agricultural provisions, including lifting the cap on the beginning farmer tax credit extension and updating homestead-related rules, saying these changes would help farm transitions and reflect current conditions. Another property tax change would increase the market value exclusion for disabled veterans. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but senators said the bill had been passed to the floor and they were waiting for leadership to schedule it, while noting the House had not yet taken similar action.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> happening from that is then the owners happening from that is then the owners end<03:28:22.720><
- </c><03:58:20.640><c> a</c> trying to buy a lot of land to build a trying to buy a lot of land to build
- </c> downtown area a lot of those buildings downtown area a lot of those buildings were<04:28:17.840>
- We think this is an innovative idea, um but folks can build on their own land uh to folks can build on
- It's breaking that to build this.
Committee:
House Housing
Summary:
The subcommittee first took up House Bill 1598 and an amendment, 2026-0463H. Elliott Barry and Nick Norman testified that the amendment reflected a hard-fought compromise balancing concerns from all sides, and they urged no further changes. With no questions from members, the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend the bill with the amendment to the full committee, 3-0, and closed the subcommittee.
The housing committee then moved through several executive session bills. HB 1010 was amended with 2026-0274H, described as clarifying and implementing prior housing law (HB 631) governing residential units above office and retail space; the amendment was adopted unanimously and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 17-0 vote and placed on consent. HB 65 was then voted ought to pass and also placed on consent, with members saying it was duplicative of the compromise reached on HB 1010. HB 1349 was reconsidered for a clarifying vote and again received unanimous support for its prior disposition, 17-0, and was placed on consent.
The committee next took up HB 1523, which concerned homeowners associations. An amendment, 2026-0380H, removed Section 5’s Attorney General enforcement mechanism, added HOA conflict-of-interest approval language, and delayed the effective date to give stakeholders more time; it was adopted unanimously. The bill then passed 18-0 as amended and was put on consent. The committee also voted ITL on CACR 16, a constitutional amendment related to sleeping or homelessness issues, after debate over unintended consequences and whether it protected a basic right; the vote was 10-8, with a majority report assigned and a minority report to be written.
Later, HB 108, dealing with inclusionary zoning, was voted ITL 10-8 after members argued the bill imposed unrealistic burdens and could halt development; a minority report was noted with amendment 0149H. HB 7, concerning ADUs and restrictive covenants, was also voted ITL 10-8 after discussion of unintended consequences and a proposed amendment to encourage second ADUs; it was sent to the regular calendar with a minority report and amendment 0289H. HB 1120, on water-related subdivision requirements, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent, with one member noting a study amendment had been offered. HB 1143, addressing housing-provider obligations and municipal enforcement powers, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent. Finally, HB 1145, a fee/tax proposal tied to housing development, was ITL’d 11-7; members debated whether it would discourage development, and a minority report was assigned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-13 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In those five years, that's given the opportunity to build something and continue to build something
- This is about property owners.
- This is about property owners.
- So you're referring to Section C affected property owner.
- Buildings are permanent, sprawls permanent.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This is limited to the building. So your nuisance is the building next door is going to fall down.
- This is limited to the building. So your nuisance is the building next door is going to fall down.
- This is limited to the building. So your nuisance is the building next door is going to fall down.
- This is limited to the building. So your nuisance is the building next door is going to fall down.
- And subsection B says, the owner or owners of the land surrounding the cemetery...
Bills:
HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113
Committee:
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Keywords:
public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And I can't overemphasize the culture of asset building.
- historically have an opportunity to build generational wealth.
- Small business owners deserve the same fair treatment.
- I also am a restaurant owner. It is true. Thank you.
- Baby bonds are a proven long-term wealth-building strategy.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions.
A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- There have to be enough sites to build townhomes on.
- Nobody's going to build it. You don't build stuff that you can't make any money on at all.
- The bill also builds on the models that already work.
- The Building Standards Commission may then adopt, approve, codify, and publish mandatory building energy
- I'll just say that this is permitting the Building Standards Commission to develop building standards
Committee:
Senate Housing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Any property owner, yes. Business... Personal, you name it.
- What's the answer on the, let's see, the property owner is not required to apply to the collector?
- The owner of the property has the ability to pay all the taxes, okay, or the...
- I want to build off of some of what we were discussing.
- Well, first of all, you shouldn't be building capital projects with M&O money.
Bills:
SB3038 , SB3045 , SB3065 , SB3069 , SB3071 , HB2025 , HB2149 , HB3370 , HB4205 , HB4506 , HB5424 , HB5652 , HB24 , HB3687 , HB24
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Keywords:
Fort Bend County, Municipal Utility District, MUD, special district, Rosenberg, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, ad valorem tax, bond issuance, assessments, fees, taxes, eminent domain, road district, storm drainage, infrastructure financing, development agreement, municipal consent, temporary directors, public utility district
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So what is the reason for why do they need to be exempted from building codes?
- developers, architects, and building officials.
- Updating the Florida Building Code to permit tall mass timber buildings will support and stimulate investment
- The state knows that those buildings are safe. There's not a safety concern.
- And, you know, I mean, condo owners have endured a lot.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably.
Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes.
The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues.
Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Not just to build the business, but to build people.
- I am the owner of green chick.
- As a hands-on business owner, I have had the privilege of building. personal relationships with my diverse
- There are a few, being a business owner.
- We are business owners, we are.
Committee:
House State Affairs
Keywords:
hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process
Summary:
The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So that means buildings and parking lots and, you know, docks or whatever?
- like a multipurpose building like we have in St.
- You as the business owner or a business owner agrees and says, yes, I didn't underpay you, my fault.
- And the business owner is going to get an option.
- And the business owner is going to get an option.
Committee:
House Commerce
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- These numbers are continuing to settle as building owners provide more accurate information on building
- Commerce certifies applications and utilities pay the incentive to the building owner.
- owners seeking funding so i've covered building level compliance and will now cover the specifics of
- Building owners also need help to comply with these laws.
- Incentives are critical as building owners work to build a capital stack to make these projects work.
Committee:
House Capital Budget
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Capital Budget Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The team responded to nearly 5,000 inquiries just in 2025 alone, from building owners and the industry
- These numbers are continuing to settle as building owners provide more accurate information on building
- Commerce certifies applications and utilities pay the incentive to the building owner.
- Building owners also need help to comply with these laws.
- Incentives are critical as building owners work to build a capital stack to make these projects work.
Summary:
The committee first received a Commerce overview of capital budget grant programs, including behavioral health facilities, Building for the Arts, Building Communities Fund, early learning facilities, library capital improvements, and youth recreational facilities. Commerce described program eligibility, match requirements, funding cycles, and project examples such as an early learning center in Spokane, a rural library in Stevens County, and a youth clubhouse in Prosser. Members asked about behavioral health capital projects, including how many facilities have been opened and how capital planning aligns with operating funding; Commerce said it could provide more data later and noted it focuses on capital while HCA, DSHS, and DOH handle operating requests. Members also raised concerns about nonprofit financial stability, project licensure, siting, and the burden of non-state match, while Commerce emphasized shovel-ready projects, community match, and efforts to reduce application burden.
The committee then heard an update on the Clean Buildings Performance Standard from Commerce. Staff reviewed Washington’s building emissions laws, compliance tiers, exemptions, incentives, and district energy system decarbonization planning under House Bills 1543, 1976, and 1390. Commerce reported nearly 5,000 inquiries in 2025, a fellowship program that has helped more than 250 buildings in 16 counties, and review of nearly 30 district energy plans. The presentation highlighted that over half of Tier 1 buildings are already meeting targets, that Tier 2 incentive applications suggest the 30-cent-per-square-foot incentive often covers compliance costs, and that district decarbonization plans face common challenges such as aging infrastructure, grid readiness, workforce, and inconsistent cost reporting. Members asked what additional legislative action might help, and Commerce said it was still learning from the new rulemaking and implementation changes.
Western Washington University and Corex then presented on WWU’s campus heating conversion project and a possible off-campus thermal energy partnership with the Port of Bellingham. WWU described its aging steam system, high emissions, maintenance costs, and the $51 million in Climate Commitment Account funding it has received to transition toward an electric hot-water system using technologies such as geo-exchange, heat recovery chillers, and air-source heat pumps. Corex explained its existing district energy system at the Port of Bellingham, which uses industrial waste heat and is operating at very high efficiency, and said it is exploring a heat transmission line to WWU and possibly sewer-heat recovery. Testimony from WSU and UW supported the broader decarbonization effort but raised concerns about the scale of costs, deferred maintenance, and the need for predictable state funding. A contractor witness urged the state to think bigger about public-private partnerships and other financing tools rather than forcing campuses to compete for limited funds.
The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2330, which would create a prioritization process for capital funding for state campus district energy system decarbonization projects. Staff said the bill would establish a Commerce committee to score and rank projects, issue a preliminary framework report by December 30 of this year, and provide biennial recommended project lists beginning in 2028, while also studying barriers to energy-as-a-service contracts and public-private partnerships. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to create a thoughtful, predictable process for deciding which projects to fund, emphasizing energy savings, emissions reductions, operating cost reductions, shovel-readiness, and the value of public-private partnerships. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive: WSU and UW backed the bill as a way to advance compliance and predictability, though WSU warned that compliance costs could be very large and that the university would likely seek state help if fines were imposed. A contractor witness supported the concept but argued the bill should help build a larger funding “pie” through partnerships and financing tools rather than simply dividing scarce resources. The committee then opened and heard testimony on House Bill 2338, which would authorize community-scaled weatherization projects. Commerce staff said the bill would allow weatherization funds and matching funds to be used for neighborhood-scale projects affecting multiple dwelling units, while still prioritizing low-income households; the fiscal note estimated about $273,000 in FY 2027 and about $237,000 per biennium ongoing for administration. Supporters from community action agencies and Spark Northwest said the bill would improve health, safety, affordability, and contractor participation by allowing weatherization to be done at a community scale, especially in mobile home parks and low-income neighborhoods. No votes were taken in the transcript.