Transcript Highlights:

• He said there might be some compelling interest for zoning boards to allow a variance for a sober home
• if a variance should have been needed in the zoning district where the sober home operates.
• But there is an interest when a variance is applied for to a contingency, specifically because some of
• um and there's an allow for a variance um and there's an interest<00:38:03.040> though<00:38:
• though when a variance is interest though when a variance is applied<00:38:04.520> for<00:38:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have a lot of variances coming in, then fix your zoning ordinance.
• If you're doing a good job, if you have a lot of variances coming in, then fix your zoning ordinance.
• And so what I'm really looking at is a way not to get a variance, but a way that you can, as long as
• Okay, I would say since, in essence, a variance, the criteria for variance is set by the state, that
• <04:19:07.319> the say since in essence a variance the say since in essence a variance the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, can you talk to us just a little bit about the variance in the penalties and uh if you have an opinion
• ><00:03:54.959> the us just a little bit about the the us just a little bit about the the variance
• 00:03:57.360> and<00:03:57.920> uh<00:03:58.159> if<00:03:58.319> you variance
• in the penalties and uh if you variance in the penalties and uh if you have<00:03:58.799> an<

Bills: SF0007, SF0008

Keywords: theft, penalties, larceny, criminal offense, felony, Wyoming, absconding, law enforcement, criminal justice, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wide variance in office practices, how they handle their data.
• We have a variance in pace of implementation, which is going to impact recruiting and retention, which
• The variance in staffing challenges and the attorney attrition, I expect that gap to grow wider, right
• And there will be a variance in the experience... ...of the people working in public defense and, more
• importantly, a variance in the outcome for their clients, the people served by public defenders.

Summary: The committee received agency updates on several behavioral health and justice programs. The Health Care Authority reported that assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) has expanded from two counties to eight, with a ninth expected in December, and described AOT as a court-ordered, least-restrictive treatment model that depends on close coordination among courts, treatment providers, and local officials. The agency also reviewed Joel’s Law, which lets family members, guardians, conservators, or tribes petition for an initial involuntary detention when they disagree with a designated crisis responder’s decision. Judges Ferreira and Larson said petition use has increased significantly statewide and in Snohomish County, but many cases do not proceed beyond the initial detention stage; they also noted family frustration, disjointed processes, and bed shortages as ongoing issues. Committee members asked about expansion criteria, the law’s effectiveness, and how the system fits together with other mental health interventions. The Attorney General’s Office presented on the hate crimes and bias incidents hotline created by SB 5427. The hotline began a pilot in King, Clark, and Spokane counties on July 1, 2025, with a statewide launch planned for 2027. Officials said the advisory committee helped shape the referral process, intake questions, outreach materials, and public branding. In the first five months, the hotline received 301 reports, with roughly 45% from King County and about 38% from outside the pilot counties; 42% requested follow-up, and only about a quarter of those wanted law enforcement referral. Testimony emphasized that the hotline is non-emergency, anonymous if desired, and focused on referrals rather than investigation. Members asked about why callers do not seek law enforcement involvement, how the hotline compares with Oregon’s launch, and what kinds of incidents are being reported. The Office of Independent Investigations reported progress on its work investigating police deadly force fatalities. Director Roger Rogoff said the agency has grown to 66 employees, including 31 investigators, and has completed six fatality investigations, with two public final reports posted. He said the office now operates in Region 1 and plans to expand statewide as staffing allows, with a future east-side expansion dependent on additional investigators. He also said the office has 29 requests to review prior cases, but those reviews are time-intensive and limited to cases with new evidence. Committee members asked about staffing needs, local cooperation, and whether the office conducts parallel investigations; Rogoff said OII performs the criminal investigation, while agencies may still do administrative reviews. The committee then heard a lengthy panel on public defense caseload standards and funding. The Washington State Bar Association, Washington Defender Association, county representatives, and city representatives all discussed the new caseload standards and the implementation timeline. Speakers said the standards reflect modern public defense realities but warned that funding, attorney recruitment and retention, office space, and data collection remain major barriers. Survey results from county offices showed wide variation in readiness, with many counties uncertain about timelines and most citing lack of funding as the biggest obstacle; attorney attrition was also described as high. County and city representatives argued that the new standards will require far more attorneys and support staff, and that local governments cannot absorb the cost without substantial state funding. They urged the Legislature to increase state support, improve workforce pipelines, and address structural issues in the public defense system.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's variance in what the programs look like, which is healthy for our schools because it means we
• industry's crew, but it is appropriate that they are the leaders in explaining issues with youth variances
• industry's crew, but it is appropriate that they are the leaders in explaining issues with youth variances
• employment, because they're the ones that have the staff on the ground figuring out, with youth variances
• But there is variance, and it's not done at a state... ...level.

Summary: The House Education Committee received status updates on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s work under 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, an update from Core Plus Maritime, and findings from an Education Northwest longitudinal study of Washington CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described development of allied health guidance such as a home care aide to nursing assistant bridge, model curricula, updated course equivalency frameworks, and coordination with health agencies and employers. It also reviewed Core Plus framework work, task force expansion under later legislation, and the timeline for recommendations due in November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession outreach, equitable access for rural districts, data updates, and employer support for local programs; OSPI said it continues to work with agency and industry partners and that local labor-market alignment varies by region. Core Plus Maritime presenters described expanding maritime career exploration into middle school through low-cost ROV curriculum, student visits to ferries and vessels, Sea Scouts partnerships, and ship-based safety and welding experiences. Industry representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group emphasized the maritime sector’s economic importance, aging workforce, and need for hands-on training to build the pipeline for family-wage jobs. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said the program gives students a clear pathway and has helped connect them to careers in shipyards, fishing, and related trades. Vigor also noted support for a student welding competition and equipment donations for a Rainier Beach shop. Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented a longitudinal study using state data from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found CTE access has been relatively steady statewide, but offerings vary by school size, locale, and income, with rural and lower-income schools generally offering fewer pathways. Participation is high: nearly all students earn at least some CTE credit, and more students are accumulating multiple credits over time, though fewer go deep within a single pathway. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within pathways such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and construction, were more likely to graduate on time and later had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and earnings. Riggs recommended addressing local barriers to participation, considering whether the CTE graduation requirement should better encourage depth while preserving flexibility, and aligning offerings more closely with labor-market needs. Committee members asked about COVID-era trends, student motivation, early workforce entry, delivery settings such as skill centers, and how to interpret the comparison groups used in the analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, property owners may seek a variance from local land use requirements.
• are hearings and notifications of variances.
• Um across the state these variances.
• around what a variance can and can't<00:38:22.560> do.
• There are no committee variances.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and handled several ceremonial and introductory matters before moving into committee reports. The chamber welcomed the doctor of the day, recognized an intern and a guest in the gallery, extended birthday wishes to Senator Chris West, and received remarks from the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Andre Moraru, who emphasized Romania’s strategic partnership with the United States, NATO cooperation, investment ties, energy projects, and support for Ukraine. Senators also briefly noted Maryland’s military and diplomatic ties to Romania. The ambassador’s remarks were journalized, and members were given time to meet with him off the floor. The Senate then took up a series of second-reading bills, mostly from the Finance Committee, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the measures advanced were Senate Bill 39 on behavioral health reimbursement rate methodology and a work group for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers; Senate Bill 605 directing the Public Service Commission to study broadband and VoIP oversight; Senate Bill 721, Ralph’s Act, providing expedited DDA/Medicaid eligibility for certain recently relocated individuals; and Senate Bill 891 on perinatal mental health screening, coverage, training, and reporting. Each was amended in committee and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also advanced several House bills, including House Bill 427 extending the task force on responsible use of natural psychedelic substances and adding an HBCU representative; House Bill 480 requiring transportation network companies to maintain written deactivation policies; House Bill 532 requiring overtime pay for firefighters employed by governmental units after 168 hours in a 28-day period; House Bill 816 reducing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund assessment cap from 3% to 1% and authorizing an affordability program; House Bill 829 requiring human trafficking awareness training for certain for-hire and rideshare drivers; House Bill 862 requiring a two-person crew for certain freight rail operations in shared corridors, contingent on similar action in neighboring states; and House Bill 999 revising Class 9 limited distillery license rules and production limits. Most of these bills were reported favorably, with no objections, and were ordered to third reading or passed for third reading as applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• over to whatever school X, my kids are zoned for school A, and I go over there and I get a zone variance
• So zone variances have kind of been eliminated over the last couple years from my conversations with
• , and we have had principals suggest that certain things could be done so that the zone variances would
• As it pertains to the question in regard to zone variances, this takes away a lot of that individual
• So I actually was granted a zone variance when I was in high school.

Bills: AB49, AB93, AB108, AB169, AB188, AB212, AB221, AB224, AB251, AB282, AB284, AB296, AB304, AB331, AB356, AB366, AB375, AB409, AB467, AB475, AB476, AB479, AB494, AB514, AB515, AB533, AB542, AB550, AB558, AB567, AB568, AB571, AB581, AB583, AB584, AB585, AB595, AB596, AB597, SB170, SB427, SB460, SB508

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, health insurance, speech-language pathology

Transcript Highlights:

• undue burden because of parking requirements, developers can go through the process of getting a variance
• undue burden because of parking requirements, developers can go through the process of getting a variance
• undue burden because of parking requirements, developers can go through the process of getting a variance
• undue burden because of parking requirements, developers can go through the process of getting a variance
• undue burden because of parking requirements, developers can go through the process of getting a variance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we talk about variances by the Department of Homeland Security, we adopted it so they could have
• We put rulemaking in there so they could actually, in statute, have the ability to conduct variances
• In statute, have the ability to conduct variances and modifications to plans.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• dealing with submerged closed-loop heat exchangers and the commissioner's authority to consider variances
• dealing with submerged closed-loop heat exchangers and the commissioner's authority to consider variances
• <00:37:09.320> to<00:37:09.480> the authority to consider variances to the authority
• to consider variances to the regulatory<00:37:10.240> requirements<00:37:10.960> for<00
• could rely on decisions about variances could rely on third-party<00:43:10.440> reviews<00:43

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from 24 to 25 and the variances from 25 adjusted authorized to FY26.
• from 24 to 25 and the variances from 24 to 25 and the variances<00:58:28.319> from<00:58:28.640
• from 25 adjusted authorized to variances from 25 adjusted authorized to uh<00:58:31.280> FY26.
• you compare uh some of the variances you compare uh some of the variances from<01:00:56.000>
• Some of the variances there are explained there.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires that the commissioner grant variances for licensed capacity in child care programs if certain
• The commissioner is required to grant variances for licensed capacity in child care programs if a few
• Additionally, the state fire marshal must approve the variance.
• specifically appreciative of the following items for child care centers in this bill: the space variance

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:08:11.520> project<02:08:12.079> since past, is there a variance project since
• past, is there a variance project since it's<02:08:12.560> a<02:08:12.719> historical<02
• So now, is there a variance violation.
• So now, is there a variance process<02:09:03.520> for<02:09:03.679> that<02:09:03.840><
• if indeed someone felt that variance if indeed someone felt that they<02:09:56.400> that<02:09

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration. Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.

Transcript Highlights:

• improvement for our hemp businesses around the state. ...provision I want to touch on is the testing variance
• There is a significant variance and waiver process that is set out in law.
• That process allows for a variance or waiver if the nursing home is at risk of closure or receivership
• No entity has requested a variance or waiver.
• There is a waiver and variance process in place, but hardly anyone has used that process, particularly

Transcript Highlights:

• . when you go to get the variance. when you go to get the variance,<05:05:52.160> the<05:05:52.560
• So it just makes variance to to do it.
• it's like, okay, it was a non-conforming structure, but you received a variance.
• So clearly, because you got a variance for that other use, you can convert this into an ADU by right.
• So clearly because received a variance.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this bill covers our bases for the variance in synthetic opioids that I was worried about.
• :19:50.320> the bill covers our bases for the um the bill covers our bases for the um the variance
• 52.160> opioids<00:19:52.640> that<00:19:52.799> I<00:19:52.960> was variance
• in synthetic opioids that I was variance in synthetic opioids that I was worried<00:19:53.360> about

Bills: SF0009

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, minors, drug distribution, enhanced penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee, which raises the weight limit for hauling milk from 80,000 lbs. to 90,000 lbs. with a variance
• with<00:26:36.559> a 80,000 lbs to 90,000 lbs with a 80,000 lbs to 90,000 lbs with a variance
• :26:37.919> did<00:26:38.080> that<00:26:38.799> uh<00:26:38.880> we variance
• Uh once we did that uh we variance.

Keywords: 00:20 Roll Call 01:56 HB 7 13:46 HB 7 Vote 17:54 HB 226 24:05 HB 226 Vote 25:13 HB 258 27:13 HB 258 Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met for its second meeting of the 2026 session and first took up House Bill 7, sponsored by Representative Hale, which would allow school districts to install stop-arm camera systems on school buses to enforce civil penalties against drivers who illegally pass stopped buses. Hale said the bill had passed the House before, described widespread violations and the danger to children, and outlined the bill’s provisions, including public warning signs, privacy protections, and fines of $300 for a first offense and $500 thereafter. Supporters cited child safety and personal experiences with school-bus-related incidents, while one member opposed the bill on the grounds that it relied too heavily on technology instead of a human officer. The committee then voted and reported HB 7 favorably. The committee next considered House Bill 226, sponsored by Representative Bratcher, which would redirect the $5 fee from Kentucky National Guard specialty license plates from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to the Kentucky National Guard Association. Bratcher and National Guard representatives said the change would send roughly under $15,000 a year to support readiness, mobilization, and professional development for serving Guard members, and argued that specialty plate revenue should go to the organization tied to the plate. Representative Donworth raised concerns about taking money from the veterans trust fund and suggested a direct budget allocation instead, but the sponsor said the amount was small and that the current arrangement did not return the funds to the Guard. The committee voted to report HB 226 favorably. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 258, sponsored by Representative Payne, as amended by a committee substitute. The bill raises the weight limit for hauling milk from 80,000 to 90,000 pounds and clarifies that the rule applies to both state and federal highways, based on federal treatment of milk as a non-divisible product. After the substitute was adopted, the committee approved the bill, and HB 258 was reported favorably with the committee substitute attached.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also seeking a variance for our testing facility licenses.
• ><00:10:20.920> also<00:10:21.120> seeking<00:10:21.360> a<00:10:21.519> variance
• <00:10:21.880> for bium we're also seeking a variance for bium we're also seeking a variance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill sets out a process for operators to apply for what's called a variance if they're Denial of
• point here is that what could be seen to be the enhanced water quality testing requirements in the variance
• Extra water quality testing is for people who are doing drilling with a variance after this bill goes
• My next question is: do you believe that the variance section on page 15 ensures a process for those
• Would be able to seek a variance or an exception. Okay, thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's so much variance statewide. We have about 2800 law enforcement agencies in Texas.
• There's so much variancy if you were to compare them to a municipality, some have 6 or 700 citizens to
• So I, you know, I just to speak to kind of the variance of sizes of communities.

Bills: HB176, HB180

Keywords: tax, ad valorem, voter-approval, local government finance, property tax, repeal, tax rates, school finance, tax reduction, compressed tax rate, education, funding