Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a postdoctoral scholar in environmental and forest sciences at UW, and a proud member of UAW 4121
• Here in Washington, the Evergreen State, forests are part of our identity.
• They enhance the quality of our air and water, support our economy through forest products and outdoor
• that sustain the ecological, economic, and cultural services that our forests provide.
• It was a Forest Service grant, part of the wildfire crisis strategy, that specifically supported the

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee held its final meeting of the 2026 session, opening a public hearing on Senate Bill 6321, which would authorize up to $6 billion in state general obligation bonds over six years and create the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement within the Department of Commerce. Staff explained that the institute would oversee grants for scientific research and facilities, with the proposal requiring voter approval for the debt and institute creation. Senator Slatter, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to stabilize research funding in Washington in response to federal cuts and uncertainty, and noted it was modeled in part on similar efforts in California and Texas. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Representatives from Washington State University and the University of Washington described the state’s research enterprise as an economic engine and emphasized the importance of stable funding for jobs, innovation, and competitiveness. University of Washington witnesses said federal funding disruptions had reduced new NIH awards, cut student support, and threatened research programs in medicine, mental health, clean energy, forest resilience, and climate adaptation. Several early-career researchers and union members testified about personal impacts from grant terminations, furloughs, and delayed career transitions, arguing that the bill would help protect scientific work, workforce development, and public health outcomes in Washington. After closing the hearing on SB 6321, the committee moved into executive session. It voted do pass on Substitute House Bill 2525 and sent it to the Rules Committee. The committee also approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments for confirmation recommendation, and then adjourned after thanking staff and members for their work during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Washington State Forester.
• I'm also DNR's deputy supervisor over our forest resilience and wildland fire programs.
• I'm the Washington State Forester.
• I'm also DNR's deputy supervisor over our forest resilience and wildland fire programs.
• Heath Heikla here on behalf of the American Forest Resource Council, pro on HB 2348.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2104 would make permanent the Aviation Assurance Funding Program, which lets DNR provide aerial wildfire response resources to local fire departments during initial attack. The prime sponsor, Rep. Tom Dent, said the program helps small rural districts avoid costly state mobilization and keeps fires small; DNR and local fire officials testified in strong support, citing rapid response times, major property protection, and even a rescue of a trapped civilian. No opposition testimony was heard, and the sign-in record showed 215 pro and one con. HB 2348, a DNR request bill, would streamline timber and land sale procedures by allowing more online notice, changing where sales may be held, permitting re-offering of no-bid sales, and clarifying appraisal and fair-market-value standards for certain land transfers. DNR said the bill would improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden, while the American Forest Resource Council and Washington Forest Protection Association supported it as a modernization measure that preserves fiduciary protections for trust lands. Committee members asked about the scope of the trust-land language and potential savings; the sign-in record showed 43 pro and one con. HB 2454 would raise the surface mine reclamation threshold from three acres to seven acres of disturbed area, reducing the number of small gravel and aggregate operations subject to DNR permitting. Rep. Andrew Engel argued the change would help small rural producers compete against larger corporations and lower burdens on local material suppliers. DNR opposed the bill, saying acreage alone does not determine environmental risk and that the permit process provides important review, technical assistance, and reclamation planning; the agency said it was open to discussing alternative approaches. A remote industry witness supported the bill, saying it would help small sources remain viable while county regulation would still apply. The sign-in record showed 143 pro and three con. After the hearings, the committee adjourned without taking votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• A fast-growing industry of financing companies and brokers selling what the Federal Reserve calls higher-cost
• A fast-growing industry of financing companies and brokers selling what the Federal Reserve calls higher-cost
• From a business coach, a recycling company located in Lake Forest took out a $35,000 MCA loan with a

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• family that lives in Las Cruces or a family that lives in Santa Fe or a family that lives on the reservation
• This bill recognizes the unique challenges facing rural communities by reserving at least half of the
• I would think of a town like Cloudcroft and some of these smaller communities where National Forest surrounds

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• family that lives in Las Cruces or a family that lives in Santa Fe or a family that lives on the reservation
• This bill recognizes the unique challenges facing rural communities by reserving at least half of the
• I would think of a town like Cloudcroft and some of these smaller communities where National Forest surrounds

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 296, which would double New Mexico’s working families tax credit. The sponsor said the bill would increase work incentives, reduce poverty, and could provide families up to about $1,900 more per year, with benefits concentrated among families with children and lower earners. Public testimony from advocacy groups and faith organizations supported the bill. Members asked about foster family eligibility, age eligibility, refundability, and how the credit compared with a prior vetoed proposal. After discussion, a member moved to table the bill, and HB 296 was tabled. The committee then took up the committee substitute for House Bill 77, a tax credit for rehabilitating vacant or blighted buildings into affordable multifamily housing, with at least half of the credit reserved for rural New Mexico. Supporters from housing, business, construction, local government, and advocacy groups said it would expand housing supply, revitalize downtowns and vacant properties, and help rural communities. Members questioned the certification and recertification process, affordability requirements, and the role of the Mortgage Finance Authority. The sponsor asked to roll the bill to Friday so an amendment could be considered, and the committee agreed to roll HB 77 rather than vote on it. House Bill 275, authorizing revenue bonds for Hila Regional Medical Center to replace an aging linear accelerator used for radiation cancer treatment, was heard next. The sponsor and supporters said the equipment is essential for cancer care in southwest New Mexico and that patients would otherwise have to travel long distances for treatment. An amendment extending the bond term from 20 to 30 years was adopted after the New Mexico Finance Authority explained declining tobacco-tax revenues and the need to protect against default risk. The committee then gave HB 275, as amended, a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 285, as amended, which clarifies and streamlines the disabled veteran property tax exemption. The sponsor said the bill limits the exemption to a primary residence, clarifies how it applies to multiple owners, and gives veterans more time and clearer procedures to claim or protest the exemption while they await VA certification. County assessors and realtor representatives supported the measure, saying it would reduce administrative confusion and ensure eligible veterans receive the benefit consistently. The committee adopted the bill on a do pass motion. The meeting then adjourned with notice that work would continue on Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'd like to continue the practice of reserving questions until the end of each testimony.
• With that, I'd be happy to answer any questions and respectfully reserve my right to close.
• The state resources, certainly in the Panhandle wildfires, come from the forest service.

Bills: HB5691, SB427, SB2623, SB2858

Keywords: municipal management district, bonds, assessments, property taxes, economic development, eminent domain, special district, SB 427, local government, political subdivision, state loan, state grant, financial reporting, annual financial statement, annual report, county report, municipal finance, water district, municipality, county auditor

Transcript Highlights:

• I look at the forest landowners as someone who is providing benefit to communities.
• These are the issuance of forest practices permits or the sale of timber from state lands and state forest
• These are the issuance of forest practices permits or the sale of timber from state lands and state forest
• Additionally, DNR has the honor to lead efforts in forest resilience and forest health.
• DNR has the honor to lead efforts in forest resilience and forest health.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a postdoctoral scholar in environmental and forest sciences at UW, and a proud member of UAW 4121
• Here in Washington, the Evergreen State, forests are part of our identity.
• They enhance the quality of our air and water, support our economy through forest products and outdoor
• that sustain the ecological, economic, and cultural services that our forests provide.
• It was a Forest Service grant, part of the wildfire crisis strategy, that specifically supported the

Bills: SB6321, SGA9245, SGA9247, SGA9250, SGA9252, SGA9253, SGA9254, SGA9259, SGA9260, SGA9261, SGA9262

Keywords: scientific research, innovation, economic growth, Washington Institute, public funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And how about can we go ahead and do Forest City at the same time, since it's a similar item, or do we
• Fink, Forest City's report.
• Fink Forest Cities will be Seeing none. And then if you want to go ahead and read, Mr.
• Fink, Forest City's report.
• And that concludes the findings for Forest City School District.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Protect our forests.
• landowners, foresters, timber harvesters, and forest products companies.
• and our forests.
• and our forests.
• I am a forest landowner.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we see the forest and not the tree in front of us?
• She's part of a reservation. They won't look for her. Have you ever heard of that video?
• Is it on the reservations, or is it outside?
• It's not just because it's on the reservation. Sometimes it's in the city.
• That person might be from a reservation, but we're talking because it's Indian people.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs opened its 2025 hearing with a traditional song and remarks about the importance of Native visibility and land acknowledgment. The hearing focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), exploitation and trafficking in a Public Law 280 (PL 280) state, and California’s response. Members and tribal leaders emphasized that MMIP is tied to historical trauma, forced removal, undercounting, and ongoing inequities in law enforcement response, media attention, and access to resources. Several panelists urged stronger tribal consultation, better data collection, more funding, and culturally informed education and victim services. In the first panel, tribal chairpersons described personal and community impacts. Chairperson Antonet Del Rio spoke about the need to include federally and non-federally recognized tribes and to educate schools and communities, while naming long-unsolved cases from her tribe. Chairperson Cheyenne Stone connected MMIP to the history of violence in Owens Valley and to the disturbance of Indigenous remains during infrastructure projects, calling for forensic resources, mandatory consultation, and accountability. Chairperson Charles Martin described the death of Morongo citizen Amy Porter and said the Feather Alert failed her family because law enforcement did not act quickly enough; he called for reforms and better coordination, especially in PL 280 jurisdictions. Chairwoman Nelson and committee members echoed the need for equity, urgency, and government-to-government respect. The second panel examined how PL 280 complicates MMIP and trafficking cases. Professor Carol Goldberg explained that PL 280 created an unfunded mandate, reduced federal jurisdiction and funding, and contributed to under-resourced policing and mistrust; she recommended mandatory training, community-oriented policing, formal tribal-county collaboration, and possible retrocession in some cases. Yurok Chairman Joe James tied MMIP to boarding schools, trafficking, and the need to advance bills such as AB 31, SB 4, ACR 39, AB 285, and AB 1378, along with increased budget funding. Morning Star Gali argued that PL 280 enables traffickers and violent offenders to exploit jurisdictional gaps and called for tribally led public safety, housing, victim services, and stronger consultation. Dustin Contreras, a human trafficking investigator, described the overlap between trafficking and MMIP, stressed partnerships and task forces, and supported more education for law enforcement, schools, and families. In the final panel, state and county officials described current efforts and acknowledged remaining gaps. The Attorney General’s Office said it is working on MICIC outreach, tribal response planning, PL 280 training through an advisory council, and improved data systems, while supporting bills and the Feather Alert. Humboldt County Sheriff Hansel described the case of a missing woman, Emily, as an example of how people with mental illness or justice involvement can become invisible, and said counties need more consistent training and clearer jurisdictional protocols. He and other officials supported the Feather Alert, tribal police authority, and a pilot program for POST status for tribal police, which they said had been vetoed previously. Across the hearing, speakers repeatedly called for better coordination, more funding, stronger tribal authority, and sustained action rather than symbolic recognition.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, I'm happy to answer any questions and reserve the right to close.
• Okay, if not, we will sit down and we'll have you reserve your right to close.
• With that, if there are any questions, I reserve my right to close.
• Seeing none, we'll reserve your opportunity to close. Thank you, sir.
• I reserve the right to close. Absolutely. Thank you for your bill this morning.

Bills: HB2385, HB3349, HB3962, HB3883, HB4396, HB4811, HB5088, HB4588, HB4867, HB4895, HB5398, HB5616

Keywords: NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo

Transcript Highlights:

• and management of 2.3 million acres of forest a year to reduce wildfire risk and restore healthier and
• more resilient forests.
• This work is absolutely critical, so we must figure out sustainable ways to use forest biomass.
• This bill does not mandate a specific amount of forest treatment or the technologies used to process
• It creates a fund that supports projects that help us sustainably use forest biomass waste created from

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills, with the chair announcing AB 2200 would be taken on consent. AB 353, by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath, would convert the CPUC’s internal audit office into an Inspector General office to improve transparency and oversight; it drew support from some local and consumer groups and opposition from the California Water Association. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass from wildfire mitigation efforts, with broad support from forestry, labor, local government, and energy groups, and opposition from environmental organizations that argued biomass electricity is costly and polluting. Members asked about the bill’s transparency and ratepayer impacts, and the author said she would work with opponents. Assembly Member Rogers presented AB 1761, which would increase transparency around the PCIA “exit fee” charged to community choice aggregators and other load-serving entities. Supporters said the bill would help CCAs forecast rates and audit calculations, while Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric opposed it, citing market-sensitive data concerns and CPUC oversight. Rogers also presented AB 2369, aimed at improving transmission planning for energy-only projects in rural areas by allowing the CPUC to begin planning before a project is formally proposed; it drew support and no opposition at the hearing, with members noting the need to break the “chicken-and-egg” problem in transmission development. Assembly Member Pacheco presented AB 2124, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which would require the California Council on Science and Technology to evaluate the cost and efficacy of proposed legislative mandates affecting utility bills before committee votes. Utilities and labor supported the bill as a way to inform lawmakers about rate impacts, while members questioned the analysis process and timing. Assembly Member Schultz presented AB 1787, which would require investor-owned utilities to offer dynamic electricity rates to customers after smart meter upgrades, with supporters saying it could lower bills and improve grid use; utilities opposed parts of the bill over cybersecurity and cost-shift concerns, though some CCAs moved to neutral after amendments. Finally, Assembly Member Zbur presented AB 2383, a data center rate bill intended to ensure new large loads pay their fair share and do not shift costs to other ratepayers; supporters included labor and oversight groups, while opponents said the bill still lacked key protections on clean energy procurement, transmission costs, demand response, and treatment of existing data centers. The committee also heard AB 2493, by Assembly Member Cardenas Norris, which would impose deadlines, audits, remedial action, and return-on-equity consequences to speed grid interconnection work; clean energy and environmental groups supported it, while utilities opposed it as duplicative and costly, though they said they were willing to keep working on amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• um you know places like heavily forested um you know places like Florida<01:21:08.520><c> they</c><01
• It is the position of the House that no landfill should be located in the vicinity of Forest Lake State
• again to say that I stand 100% with the people of Dalton and the North Country and the fact that Forest
• > State</c><02:18:16.000><c> Park</c><02:18:16.920><c> so</c><02:18:17.319><c> it</c> vicinity of Forest
• and<02:19:15.719><c> the</c><02:19:15.880><c> fact</c><02:19:16.080><c> that</c><02:19:16.280><c> Forest

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Solid Waste Subcommittee met to discuss proposed amendments to HB 171 and HB 215. For HB 171, Representative Gerna outlined technical changes to a landfill moratorium bill: DES would be allowed to accept applications only to review them for completeness, a notwithstanding clause would override automatic approval timing rules, the word “fully” would be removed, and an unnecessary reference to perennial water bodies would be deleted. Members raised concern about whether applications deemed complete during the moratorium would still have to comply with later changes in law or rule. Director Mike Whap of DES said applicants would likely need to amend applications if policy changes occurred, and suggested the bill could explicitly state that later changes apply to pending applications. The subcommittee generally supported the revised language and agreed the amended bill could go directly to executive session, though one member said the underlying legislation was ill-advised but preferred the amended version over the original. The committee then turned to HB 215, which would create a two-stage landfill siting review centered on a “net public benefit” determination before full technical review. Representative Gerna explained that the amendment would define net public benefit, require an independent third-party assessment paid for by the applicant, and set up a process for selecting the contractor from a list submitted by the applicant, with DES and the host community involved and the commissioner choosing if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked how “host community” would be defined; DES said it would generally mean the municipal governing body, though that body could appoint others. The amendment also broadened the factors considered in both harms and benefits, including human health, property values, tourism, recreation, wildlife, local economic benefits, and infrastructure improvements. The discussion also added a provision directing DES to consult with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as needed when reviewing the third-party assessment. Director Whap said interdepartmental consultation is normal and that DES would likely adopt rules to guide the process. Members questioned whether the new framework would be too vague or burdensome for applicants, but Whap said it would not be designed to stack the deck against applicants and that the process should provide clearer, more balanced criteria. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the subcommittee appeared to continue refining the amendment language before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• provide for a transfer for certain state property and Levush Parish, Parish, property description, reservation
• relative to the transfer of certain state property in Natchitoches Parish, property description, reservation
• Reservation of mineral rights. Rep. Young, on your bill. Thank you, Madam Clerk. And Mr.
• Forest Service to take action necessary to allow the use of dogs for deer hunting in Kisatchie National
• Forest.

Bills: HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR184, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, HR165, HR166, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, SCR34, SB34, SB43, SB52, SB56, SB165, SB173, SB189, SB190, SB260, SB322, SB345, SB374, SB387, SB401, SB448, SB449, SB455, SB487, SB496, SB502, SB505, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB9, HB192, HB225, HB306, HB310, HB366, HB635, HB911, HB1230, HB1236, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1003, HB1082, HB1113, HB1234

Keywords: neighborhood, crime prevention, security districts, law enforcement, community safety, funding, Counseling Day, mental health, Louisiana Counseling Association, community support, mental wellness, Louisiana State University, athletics, NAIA, sports achievements, recognition, success, competition, education, higher education

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and several personal privileges recognizing guests and special observances, including Junior League Day, Renewable Energy Day, Wholesalers Day, and Sin Law Day. Members also introduced and adopted a number of commemorative resolutions, including condolences, recognitions of schools and community figures, and resolutions related to LSU, ALS Awareness Month, and local festivals. Several Senate and House measures were referred or laid over, and the chamber announced upcoming scheduling changes for House and Senate bills. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 385, which would require certain TOPS scholarship recipients to repay one semester of aid if they fail to meet academic requirements, subject to listed exemptions and an option to avoid repayment by entering certain high-demand career and technical programs. Opponents questioned the bill’s impact on students, its possible constitutional issues, administrative costs, lack of a fiscal note and implementation details, and whether it would worsen brain drain or convert a merit scholarship into a loan. The motion to recommit the bill to Appropriations failed 34-16, but after continued questioning and criticism, the author later moved to return the bill to the calendar, and that was agreed to. The House then passed House Bill 55, which restricts public disclosure of juror information, after adopting an amendment clarifying that juror interviews are still allowed if jurors choose to participate. The chamber also passed House Bill 394 extending the conditional parole programming period from nine months to 24 months, House Bill 396 making autopsy photographs admissible in criminal proceedings, House Bill 406 directing the Department of Education to study whether it should supervise interscholastic high school athletics, House Bill 622 aligning state criminal history record handling with federal requirements, and House Bill 676 creating the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or body brokering, with amendments clarifying lawful marketing arrangements. House Bill 1030, concerning reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation for certain mental health-related services, was taken up with amendments and then temporarily returned to the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Enrolled Act Number 6, being original House Bill 106, an act relating to the state forester.
• An act relating to the state forester.
• million dollars to the legislative million dollars to the legislative stabilization<01:15:36.000><c> reserve
• </c><01:15:36.640><c> That's</c> stabilization reserve account.
• That's stabilization reserve account.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pure Sky has submitted plans that would affect approximately 360 acres of our forested land.
• is that clear-cutting forest is actually counterproductive to our goal of reducing the concentration
• Mass Forests.
• A massive area of forest was cleared for our 1.3-gigawatt solar array.
• We cannot say no to an unlimited number of 30- or 40-acre forest clear-cuts.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on bills related to land use, zoning, permitting, municipal governance, and homelessness. Early testimony focused on a home rule petition for Ipswich to remove a residency requirement for a town manager, with supporters saying it would broaden the applicant pool and help fill a vacant permanent manager position. Another panel backed legislation to change the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s governance so ratepayers in surrounding communities would have representation, arguing the current board structure leaves many users without a voice in rate-setting and capital decisions. Several housing and zoning bills drew testimony. Senator Keenan and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association supported a bill to toll the one-year period for acting on a variance while an appeal is pending, saying appeals should not consume the time needed to implement approved projects. Representative Murray and the Real Estate Bar Association also testified on broader zoning reforms, including changes to undersized lots, merger rules, hearing deadlines, appeals, and variance standards; they argued the proposals would reduce delay and uncertainty and help housing production. Committee members questioned whether shifting zoning appeals from de novo to closed-record review would limit new evidence, and the witnesses said the change would speed cases while preserving limited opportunities to supplement the record. The committee also heard testimony on bills to end the criminalization of homelessness. Representatives, advocates, and shelter organizations said local camping bans and fines are counterproductive, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, and urged a statewide response centered on housing and public health rather than punishment. Other municipal bills included remote participation in open town meetings for Wayland and a statewide local option, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett charter changes, and Cambridge’s request to use automated parking enforcement and mail parking tickets. The hearing also included testimony supporting fairground zoning flexibility, a Shrewsbury solar siting bill, and an Inspector General bill clarifying county land disposition procedures by requiring written notice to DCAM and a defined response period. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representing the Pacific Forest Trust. Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Matt Diaz.
• I'm Alex Loomer here today on behalf of Pacific Forest Trust.
• Pacific Forest Trust is a nonprofit organization working to conserve and restore whole forest systems
• As part of this proclamation, both CEQA and the California Coastal Act were suspended to allow forest
• As part of this proclamation, both CEQA and the California Coastal Act were suspended to allow forest

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on forestry, wildfire prevention, recycling, and organic waste management. AB 442 would remove a timber harvest planning limitation tied to a single watershed to make working forest management plans more feasible; supporters said the current permit structure has created barriers and that the bill would help nonindustrial landowners manage forests for resiliency, while no opposition testified. AB 623 would require state agencies to report on the effectiveness of the Governor’s emergency suspension of CEQA and the Coastal Act for fuel-reduction projects; the author said the bill would provide needed data on wildfire mitigation efforts, and it drew no opposition. AB 35 would create a targeted APA exemption for Proposition 4 bond programs so funds for wildfire prevention, water, flood protection, and related projects could be deployed faster; the author and a large coalition of local agencies, water districts, conservation groups, and environmental advocates supported it, citing delays in getting money to projects such as Tijuana River pollution cleanup, and the committee discussed the need for urgency and accountability. The committee also considered AB 3333, which would use a $5 million market development payment from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund to support end uses for non-container glass, such as ground glass pozzolan for cement. Supporters said the bill would divert hard-to-recycle glass from landfills, reduce emissions, and create a stronger market for recovered material, while opponents from the glass packaging and waste sectors argued the bill would divert program funds away from bottle-to-bottle recycling and could undermine existing recycling goals and infrastructure. Members raised questions about the fund’s finances and the relationship between the bill and existing recycled-content requirements; the author said the bill was intended to address glass that is already being landfilled and to support carbon reduction. The committee ultimately advanced the bill, with some members noting fiscal concerns and the need for further work. AB 643 would allow certain diverted organic materials processed into fertilizer to count toward SB 1383 recovered organic waste procurement targets. Supporters from wastewater and water agencies said the change would help jurisdictions meet procurement goals and expand beneficial use of biosolids and other organic residuals, while opponents, including Californians Against Waste and compost industry representatives, argued that procurement credit should remain focused on newly diverted food and green waste and should not undermine investments in composting infrastructure. Committee members discussed whether a compromise could limit the credit to historically landfilled materials and noted that CalRecycle technical assistance was still pending. Despite the unresolved concerns, the bill was moved forward. The committee also adopted the consent calendar item AB 946, and at the end of the hearing the recorded votes showed AB 35, AB 3333, AB 442, AB 623, and AB 643 all receiving enough support to pass out of committee and move to Appropriations, with AB 946 passing on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any reservations? Any nos? Recommendation is adopted.
• </c><00:59:14.000><c> any</c> members are present any reservations any members are present any reservations
• Any reservations? Any nos? Recommendation is adopted.
• Any reservations? Any nos? Recommendation is adopted.
• Any reservations? Any nos? Recommendation is adopted.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's another bucket here called Green Project Reserve, and this is related to EPA requirements that
• We've gone lower than that, but then we might require a reserve.
• And so if they don't want to go below 1.2 debt service coverage ratio, we require that reserve.
• It's one of the highest credit ratings in the entire country for the lottery, and the reserves... ...
• Our concerns with the Coffin Butte closures are an increase in cost, residents, potential for forest

Summary: The task force met to focus on funding systems and incentive structures for a proposed regional waste infrastructure effort, including how a future WIPA framework might support solid waste planning in the Willamette Valley. Staff and members heard presentations from DEQ on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, from Business Oregon on the Special Public Works Fund, and from Oregon State Treasury on state bonding capacity and the bond issuance process. Presenters explained how their programs are structured, how projects are scored or approved, what kinds of public entities and projects are eligible, and how interagency coordination and co-funding can work. DEQ emphasized that its revolving loan fund is driven by water-quality benefits and public-health criteria, while Business Oregon described a broader infrastructure loan program for public entities with no scoring system, and Treasury outlined the state’s debt-capacity process and the differences between general obligation and lottery bonds. Members used the presentations to discuss whether similar funding tools could support solid waste infrastructure, especially for transfer stations, regional hubs, and related facilities that may need to be built before Coffin Butte reaches the end of its lifespan. Several questions centered on whether public-private partnerships could qualify, whether equipment inside facilities could be financed, how repayment would work, and whether planning costs could be covered. DEQ and Business Oregon both said they could potentially collaborate on scoring or co-funding, but noted eligibility limits and the need for public ownership in many cases. Treasury said bond capacity is limited and competitive, especially for lottery bonds, and that project authorization generally runs on a two-year cycle, though unused authority can sometimes be reauthorized. In task force discussion, members debated whether the group should pursue a dedicated funding lane for the seven-county region rather than having local governments compete with other statewide needs. Some members stressed the importance of criteria to avoid stranded assets and to ensure funding is available when projects are ready, while others raised concerns about how cities and counties would generate revenue to repay debt during construction and early operations. The group also discussed flow control, system fees, and the need for regional collaboration among counties, cities, and haulers to create enough waste volume to support new infrastructure. Staff noted that pre-session filing materials for the legislature are due September 11, and the chair said the August meeting will focus on organizational structure and identifying partners. During public comment, Representative Kevin Mannix submitted written testimony supporting the WIPA concept and urging the task force to endorse it. Commissioner Bubba King of Yamhill County urged the task force to compare alternatives objectively and warned against adding bureaucracy before evaluating existing infrastructure and costs. Commissioners Kevin Cameron and Roger Nyquist of Marion and Linn counties described regional hub-and-spoke concepts, transfer stations, and intermodal options, emphasizing the need for planning, strategic siting, and collaboration with haulers and local governments.