Transcript Highlights:

• because when we do have someone go on duty disability, that cost is borne by these counties.
• Paul teachers um authority perah St.
• Paul teachers um authority um<00:27:01.559><c> MSRS</c><00:27:02.559><c> I</c><00:27:02.720><c> mean<
• So I was a co-author on all of the pension bills, and there were multiple pension bills out there.
• Members, tradition and custom is that the bill authors and the people who are driving it stand up and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a public water district in our county that is annexing.
• We have a public water district in our county that is annexing at a rapid rate.
• Charles County.
• I represent Davies, Caldwell, Grundy, Harrison, and Worth County.
• Louis County.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney Ken Sorenson; and members of the law enforcement community, including county chiefs of police
• and prosecuting attorneys from the County of Maui.
• Chiefs of police and Prosecuting county Chiefs of police and Prosecuting attorneys<00:18:15.559><c>
• > Maui</c><00:18:16.880><c> mayor</c> attorneys from the county of Maui mayor attorneys from the county
• The Legislature authorized a similar pilot program for adult women.

Keywords: State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Item four for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
• I'm a resident of Solano County. I'm here in support of the SAF incentive.
• I live in Hercules, California, which is in Contra Costa County.
• My name is Amy Henry, and I live in Fairfield, which is part of Solano County.
• My name is Amy Henry, and I live in Fairfield, which is part of Salonel County.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LET'S START WITH SB 20 ON RELIEF OF JM MINER BY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BY SENATOR BURGESS.
• THE CLAIMS IS $400,000 FOR JM MINOR BY HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ON JUNE 7th, 2020.
• HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY RECEIVE NOTICE ABOUT THE UNEVEN SIDEWALKS IN THAT AREA PRIOR TO THIS INJURY.
• HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AND GUARDIANS HAVE AGREED TO SETTLE THE CASE FOR $600,000.
• I AM A PUBLIC EDUCATOR FROM OSCEOLA COUNTY AND I AM IN OPPOSITION OF THIS BILL 248.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Message from the King County Council, the clerk will read.
• Justice Yu also served as a deputy in the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
• Counties with the highest number of people at risk of losing this critical lifeline include our most
• populous counties like the one I live in, Pierce, but also Yakima, Benton, Cowlitz, and Spokane counties
• One year after swapping local levy authority for state tax authority, which represented a modest tax

Summary: The House convened for the opening day of the 2026 regular session of the 69th Legislature, with 96 members present. The session included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, a prayer, and a tribal welcome and blessing from Squaxin Island Tribe members, followed by the swearing-in of several representatives by retired Justice Mary Yu. The Speaker also recognized the deaths of Senator Bill Ramos, Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, and Trooper Tara Marissa Gooding with a moment of silence. In opening remarks, the Speaker emphasized the impacts of federal actions on Washington, including tariffs, H.R. 1, health care costs, Medicaid and food assistance losses, climate and clean energy funding threats, immigration and civil rights concerns, and the need to protect food, health, shelter, and affordability. Representative Stokesbary responded for House Republicans, focusing on Washington’s high cost of living, opposing an income tax, and urging action on affordability, housing, and crime. Both sides framed the session as a difficult but important period for budget and policy decisions. The House adopted House Resolution 4665 to notify the governor that it was organized and ready for business, and adopted House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 to receive the governor’s address and establish the session’s cutoff dates. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407, adopted permanent House rules, and approved several committee reassignments and appointments. A House delegation then reported back from a visit with Governor Ferguson, and the House adjourned until the next day, when it was scheduled to meet in pro forma session before the joint session for the governor’s State of the State address.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> One is: please clearly identify what the Senate, the good Senate President's authority are.
• What are the halls of the authority are. What are the halls of the senate?
• I know county parties do it, and I know that state parties do it as well.
• I know county parties do it, and I know that state parties do it as well.
• Certainly the halls of the authority.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider a proposed Senate Rule 15-9 prohibiting campaign contributions in Senate-controlled areas of the Capitol, prompted by concerns about lobbyists and others distributing checks to legislators while legislation is pending. The chair read a leadership statement condemning campaign contributions during session when donors’ interests are under consideration, saying such conduct creates at least the appearance of impropriety and undermines public trust. The initial draft would bar soliciting, offering, delivering, accepting, or receiving campaign contributions in Senate-controlled spaces such as the chamber, gallery, floor, corridors, lounge, lobby areas, and committee rooms. Senator Barlo raised concerns about defining the Senate’s authority and the scope of the prohibited areas, asking whether the rule would apply year-round, during interim meetings, or to online donations received while in the building. Other members responded that the Senate could only regulate areas under its control and that the rule should focus on the Capitol building itself, where fundraising should not occur. The chair noted that many other states have similar restrictions, and members discussed whether the rule should also cover campaign contributions during legislative session, not just inside the building. Senators Guru, Rothfus, and Biteman generally supported a stronger rule aimed at preventing vote buying and preserving the integrity of the institution, while acknowledging the need to refine language for enforcement and scope. The committee reviewed examples from Alaska and Wyoming’s constitutional bribery language, and staff and members proposed revised wording that would prohibit any person from knowingly soliciting, offering, delivering, accepting, or receiving campaign contributions in the state capital complex at any time, and separately prohibit senators from knowingly soliciting or knowingly accepting contributions by affirmative act during regular or special session. The discussion ended with no final vote taken, and members indicated they would continue working on the language with staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• NONE OF THE TIME PERIODS HAVE EXPIRED SO NONE HAVE BEEN REPEALED IN SOME WAY THAT IS NOT AUTHORIZED BY
• WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY AT THE END OF THIS A PERSON COULD JUST CHALLENGE THAT LICENSING AUTHORITY AND
• THE RULE IS THEREFORE AN INVALID EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 120.
• >> YOU'RE SAYING 2718 WHEN IT SAYS THE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY WANTS TO RE-REVIEW THE RULE?
• THE FIRST IS THE LACK OF STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO ISSUE PERMITS FOR A CIGAR WHOLESALE DEALER.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties don't have large commercial tax bases.
• The effect on county finances is immediate.
• surrounding counties that we have.
• So also, it would impact our county budget in Rio Arriba County.
• I helped with the copper rules back when I was a county commissioner.

Summary: The committee first took up the proposed 2026 tax package, Senate Bill 151, and adopted a committee substitute after discussion of the package’s funding capacity and included measures. The substitute bundled five bills: a physician tax credit, a quantum facility infrastructure tax credit, a construction materials gross receipts deduction for affordable multifamily housing, a local journalist employment tax credit, and a health equipment gross receipts deduction. Members discussed amendments that raised the physician credit from $4,000 to $10,000, narrowed the housing deduction to project-based certification, and reduced the journalist credit threshold from four stories to three. Concerns were raised about the fiscal impact on municipalities, especially Albuquerque, and about the funding mechanism, but the committee voted 6-4 to give the substitute a do pass recommendation. Senator Sanchez explained his vote, saying he wished more could have been included in the package. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, the Clear Horizons Act, which would codify statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets and direct the Environment Department and Environmental Improvement Board to develop plans and rules for emissions reductions. The sponsors said the bill builds on the governor’s 2019 executive order, includes a 10,000-metric-ton threshold for covered emitters, allows certified offsets, and is intended to protect public health, reduce climate-related costs, and provide regulatory certainty. Supporters argued the bill would help communities facing wildfire, drought, health harms, and rising insurance and utility costs, and that it would encourage clean-energy investment and long-term economic stability. Opposition testimony came from mining, oil and gas, rural electric cooperatives, construction, agriculture, auto dealers, chambers of commerce, banks, water recycling companies, and realtors. They argued the bill functions like a carbon tax or broad regulatory mandate, would raise energy and compliance costs, could reduce investment and jobs, and would disproportionately affect rural, tribal, agricultural, and low-income communities. Several witnesses warned of higher electricity and fuel bills, revenue losses for local governments, and uncertainty from delegating major policy decisions to rulemaking. Supporters included public health advocates, educators, local officials, clean-energy businesses, tribal and environmental advocates, and residents affected by wildfire and drought, who said the bill is necessary to address climate harms and protect public health and the economy. No final committee vote on SB 18 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It shall be a three-county pilot program to operate for 15 months.
• The House amendment authorizes contractors to transfer licenses to qualified family members for one year
• The House amendment clarifies that the county prosecutor or the municipal attorney does not serve as
• The House amendment changed the bill by removing the language that allows counties to start their own
• We're honored today to have with us the wife of our newest Senator from Pleasants County.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first considered confirmations from Senate Executive Message No. 4. On a 33-0 vote, it confirmed all nominees except number 54, then separately confirmed nominee 54 on a 30-3 vote. The special order of business was then closed. The chamber then took up a series of House-amended bills and generally concurred in the amendments before passing each bill. These included SB 723 on law enforcement cooperation with bordering states; SB 947 on birth certificate copies for homeless minors; SB 392 on personal income tax reduction; SB 54 on criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults; SB 228 on technology in child abuse and neglect investigations, including a three-county caseworker aid pilot; SB 231 on value-based payment requirements; SB 402, the Workforce Readiness Opportunity Act, with House removal of tax credits and other provisions while retaining micro-credential programs; SB 553 on transfer of contractor licenses to qualifying immediate family members; SB 575 on refusal review hearings; SB 686, the Coal Tenancy Modernization and Miners' Protection Act; SB 906 on lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations; and SB 1226 on penalties for disturbing religious worship. Most final passage votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, and several bills were made effective from passage or given a specific effective date. Later, the Senate concurred in House amendments to SB 63, the Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act, after discussion noting the House removed county charter school language and changed the effective date. The bill passed 32-2 and was made effective from passage. The Senate also concurred in amendments to SB 502, the Women's Collegiate Sports Protection Act, and SB 153, creating the Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund; SB 502 was set to take effect July 1, 2026, and SB 153 was also made effective July 1, 2026. Finally, the Senate reconsidered and again passed SB 392 by a 32-2 vote. The session ended with several introductions, announcements, and a recess until 5:30.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the United States military...
• Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the United States military to forcibly remove
• The family I'm most familiar with in Skagit County is the Sukumas, who were interned.
• Those days are kind of gone now, but they're still providing jobs up in Skagit County.
• And there were five of us from the Inland Empire area, which is Spokane and some of Stevens County area

Summary: The Senate opened by approving the previous day’s journal, receiving messages from the House, and referring newly introduced Senate Bill 6353 to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections. The chamber then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8687, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and recognizing Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists, was presented and adopted. Several senators spoke in support, describing the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans as a grave civil rights injustice and emphasizing remembrance, healing, and the need to prevent similar abuses in the future. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8688 honoring Washington’s dairy farms and dairy workers. Senators highlighted the industry’s economic importance, family farm traditions, and the hard work involved in dairy production, with some members sharing personal family and farming experiences. After adoption, the Senate welcomed representatives of the Washington State Dairy Council, Washington State Dairy Women’s Organization, and Dairy Ambassadors Apprentices to the gallery. The Senate then adjourned without objection until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:42.640><c> to</c> in the uh trustees authority to in the uh trustees authority to establish
• </c> authorized to the estimated cost. authorized to the estimated cost.
• that are authorized here.
• less folks than Laramie County.
• </c> County and prosecuting attorneys. County and prosecuting attorneys.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And how the county is carrying the burden.
• five or seven counties, depends on what you want to use as a metro county.
• The county is carrying the burden.
• five or seven counties, depends on what you want to use as a metro county.
• five or seven counties, depends on what you want to use as a metro county.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1973, John Burton authored AB 134. It created...
• In 1973, John Burton authored AB 134. It created John Burton authored AB 134.
• I propose today that we sign on as co-authors to ACA 17 for the 2028 ballot.
• And together we authored a bill that you all helped us pass, and we made that a reality.
• And together we authored a bill that you all helped us pass, and we made that a reality.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed numerous former legislators to the floor. The body then moved through the daily file, including several resolutions recognizing cultural observances and a memorial tribute to former President Pro Tem John Burton. Senator Padilla also moved file item 24 to the enacted file, and the Senate announced upcoming committee and budget subcommittee meetings later in the day. The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 133, recognizing California Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Day, after remarks from Senator Grayson about the contributions and dignity of people with Down syndrome and the importance of support systems for individuals and families. The Senate also adopted SCR 134 recognizing Nowruz and the Afghan American community, with remarks from Senator Wahab and support from Senator Kaverya, and adopted SCR 139 recognizing Afghan American Heritage Month. Each resolution passed by roll call vote with no opposition. A major portion of the session was devoted to an adjourned-in-memory tribute to former Senate President Pro Tem John Burton. Senators from both parties and several former members offered personal recollections emphasizing Burton’s advocacy for foster youth, working people, and marginalized Californians, as well as his blunt style and political influence. Members highlighted his legislative legacy, his later work through the John Burton Advocates for Youth, and his role in shaping California politics and San Francisco. The Senate concluded the tribute, invited members to a reception, and announced that it would remain in recess before reconvening later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the author of the bill, the representative from Hennepin, Representative Cleorne.
• I recognize the author of the bill, the representative from Hennepin, Representative Cleorne.
• I recognize the author of the bill, the representative from Hennepin, Representative Cleorne.
• I recognize the author of the bill, the representative from Hennepin, Representative Cleorne.
• I recognize the author of the bill, the representative from Hennepin, Representative Cleorne.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As a bill author, **Representative Smith** or **Nelson**, I should say. All right.
• We believe in the custom and usage of the Minnesota House that authors have the deference of getting
• The bill would eliminate the requirement to record a certain form of deed with the county recorder.
• In support of this bill, I thank Representative Burkle for authoring it.
• The legislation removes the need to record with the county recorder or register of titles when CWD is

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> beauty of my home county attracts beauty of my home county attracts recreational<00:19:54.240><c
• </c> residents and visitors of Skeia County residents and visitors of Skeia County are<00:20:27.440><
• </c> citizen of the year in Orange County. citizen of the year in Orange County.
• </c> as a Glenn County School Board member. as a Glenn County School Board member.
• From Granville County to Kuruck County, Northampton County to Leno County, and everywhere in between,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and partly in McLean County, and there was some controversy because ...is partly in Burleigh County
• County.
• been offering services in 53 counties.
• , and Parents as Teachers, there's three counties.
• And there's a map in here that shows the numbers by county.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please do not include that authorization in the final budget. Thank you.
• Pierce County legislators collectively identify this work as a priority for its significant county-wide
• As a host county for the state capital, Thurston County Superior Court serves as the Capitol Court for
• Yes, Ramona Hattendorf with the Arc of King County.
• I have four staff in King County serving more than 1,600 youth.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

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:

• This bill would authorize the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to establish an affordable housing
• ><c> the</c><00:49:36.079><c> New</c> This bill would authorize the New This bill would authorize the
• c><00:49:38.960><c> to</c> Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to Hampshire Housing Finance Authority
• We don't local housing authority.
• authorized agent.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.