Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1303, House Bill 1297, House Bill 1296, House Bill 1295, House Bill 1294, House Bill 1293, House
• Bill 1220, House Bill 1219, House Bill 1218, House Bill 1217, House Bill 1216, House Bill 1215, House
• House Bill 1303, House Bill 1297, House Bill 1296, House Bill 1295, House Bill 1294, House Bill 1293,
• House Bill 1220, House Bill 1219, House Bill 1218, House Bill 1217, House Bill 1216, House Bill 1215
• House Bill 1219, House Bill 1218, House Bill 1217, House Bill 1216, House Bill 1215, House Bill 1135

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order. The Chair lays before the House a communication from the Speaker.
• </c> the house of representatives. the house of representatives.
• And on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives
• House Calendar Number 27, House Resolution 405. House Resolution 405.
• House Republicans and President Trump mobilized to restore order and sanity in the United States, something

Transcript Highlights:

• We know about the reporting, less than 10 days ago, 159 women in a single housing unit in Chino?
• units, and some of the affordable housing we did on former redevelopment sites.
• They tore the very old house down and built four houses on that one lot. We have more houses now.
• situation and the housing elements and the demand to create, build 3.3 million housing units in California
• over the last five some years... ...million housing units in California over the last five some years

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, the bloodletting that we might say in the United States House of Representatives that only American
• Oh, the bloodletting that we might say in the United States House of Representatives that only American
• Oh, the bloodletting that we might say in the United States House of Representatives that only American
• Oh, the bloodletting that we might say in the United States House of Representatives that only American
• Your leadership shut down the United States House of Representatives rather than accommodate new moms

Transcript Highlights:

• The more units that can go into those lots helps ensure the projects pencil well while also housing more
• and motel units and are currently housing people.
• We currently have about 1,600 units online in permanent supportive housing in already constructed buildings
• housing, and emergency housing to survive.
• housing.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on several measures and two gubernatorial appointments. At the start, the committee waived the five-day notice rule for Substitute House Bill 2354, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590. The committee also heard public testimony on House Bill 1859, which would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold needed to qualify for a density bonus. Supporters, including the sponsor, faith leaders, and local officials, said the current 100% affordability requirement has made projects difficult to finance and that the bill would better unlock underused church land for housing. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, which would further standardize where and how permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and shelters can be sited, while limiting local barriers and allowing some negotiated conditions near schools or when local governments provide significant support. The sponsor and supporters from King County, housing providers, the Attorney General’s office, disability advocates, medical professionals, and others argued the bill would reduce discriminatory or inconsistent local siting rules and expand needed housing. Some local government representatives supported the bill but asked for additional amendments to preserve local flexibility, require on-site contacts, and clarify how operating conditions and funding agreements would work. The committee also heard House Bill 2590, which would revise rules for limited equity cooperatives so they can better function as a long-term affordable homeownership model and remain exempt from certain Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act requirements. Supporters said the bill would help preserve manufactured housing communities and other cooperative housing while maintaining affordability and oversight. House Bill 2354, a trailer bill to WACOIA, would make technical changes affecting common interest communities, including EV charging and heat pump cost responsibility, reserve studies, and audit thresholds; the Washington State Community Association’s Institute testified in support. In executive session, the committee confirmed gubernatorial appointments Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone and voted do-pass recommendations for EHB 1687, SHB 2269, and HB 2304, all subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2549 would help the city meet its goal of building a thousand housing units on the east side
• The project is set to bring a thousand jobs to the site and also a thousand affordable housing units.
• ><c> units</c><00:24:01.240><c> that</c><00:24:01.320><c> we're</c> affordable housing units that we're
• units will be for senior housing.
• Then there will be a mix throughout all of the units of 30%, 50%, 60%, 80%, and workforce housing.

Bills: HF1143 , HF1548 , HF1340 , HF2549 , HF2559 , HF1673 , HF2740 , HF2507 , HF2461 , HF2381 , HF2695

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> charge this expense back to all unit charge this expense back to all unit owners<00:04:44.520><c
• </c> commercial rates for residential units commercial rates for residential units but<00:04:47.280><
• </c> 3622 to Define residential condom units 3622 to Define residential condom units as<00:10:47.120>
• The unit owner had Unitil install a third, another meter on their house to register that usage.
• The first executive session will be on House Bill HCR 4, House Continuing Resolution 4.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• United States in a matter of years. But all this will soon come to an end.
• Has been used at the CIA, has been approved by the White House for senior officials.
• Is this submitted to the White House routinely in anticipation of its public release?
• Was this report submitted to the White House before its release today?
• Who remain in the United States today? And what is the FBI doing to track them down?

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Keywords: national security, cyber threats, civil liberties, transnational crime, FISA Section 702, public-private partnership, intelligence community, Annual Threats Hearing

Summary: The Senate Intelligence Committee convened for a significant meeting focused on the Annual Worldwide Threats Hearing. Prominent officials from various intelligence agencies presented their insights on emerging national security threats, including concerns over increasing cyber threats, particularly from China and non-state actors. A major discussion point included the balance between national security and civil liberties, as evidenced by conversations surrounding Section 702 of FISA and its implications for privacy protection. The challenges posed by cartels and transnational criminal organizations, especially related to narcotics trafficking, were emphasized as pressing issues necessitating coordinated responses from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This meeting underscored the necessity of public-private partnerships to tackle these multifaceted threats effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the House has passed House Bill 73 and the same is herewith transmitted.
• President, the House has passed and engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1784 and the same is herewith
• And just because they were Japanese ancestry, they were citizens of the United States.
• She was in a settlement house, and she learned English with 14 young Japanese...
• They were the unit that saved the Lost Battalion. So Google that someday.

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, including approving the previous day’s journal, receiving House messages transmitting House Bill 73 and Second Substitute House Bill 1784, and referring Senate Bill 6353 to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections. It then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8687, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and acknowledging the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, drew extensive remarks in support from several senators. Speakers emphasized the injustice of the internment, the contributions of Japanese American veterans and civil rights activists, the importance of remembrance, and the need to prevent similar abuses in the future. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The Senate also considered Senate Resolution 8688, recognizing Washington’s dairy farms and the role of dairy producers in the state’s economy and communities. Senators shared personal ties to dairy farming and praised the hard work of family farms, dairy workers, and industry representatives. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and visiting members of the Washington State Dairy Council, Dairy Women’s Organization, and Dairy Ambassadors were recognized in the gallery. At the close of business, the Senate agreed to adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House took a position that has had a housing committee, started out by Speaker Packard and still
• </c> 20 units or more. 20 units or more.
• or maybe 20% of the units are affordable housing?
• of the units are affordable maybe 20% of the units are affordable housing<00:30:27.760><c> that</c><
• You know, 20 units in downtown Concord are going to be vastly different than 500 units might be up in

Summary: The public hearing focused on Senate Bill 153, a proposal to speed up Department of Transportation driveway/entrance permitting for larger residential developments, generally 20 units or more. Senator Mark McConkey, the prime sponsor, said long permit delays can stall financing and housing construction, and explained that the bill creates a second, expedited permitting lane funded by a per-door fee. He said the original 90-day mandate was replaced with a more workable process developed with DOT and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, and noted that the fiscal note had been removed. Committee members asked about the fee structure, timing, whether the bill applied to 20 doors/units, and whether it affected income-restricted housing; McConkey said it does not include income-based incentives and does not change zoning or local planning requirements, only the DOT permit timeline. Industry witnesses strongly supported the bill. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the proposal is a public-private partnership the industry requested, that time delays can jeopardize financing, and that builders are willing to pay for faster review as long as safety remains the top priority. Joshua Reap of Associated Builders and Contractors gave similar support, saying DOT bottlenecks have long slowed projects and that the bill would help move approved developments forward without burdening taxpayers. Questions from members focused on whether the expedited lane would pressure DOT to approve unsafe projects, whether consultants would already be vetted, and how the process would work alongside local approvals; witnesses said DOT would still retain final sign-off and that the process would be transparent and safety-focused. Alan Hanscom of DOT then explained the department’s role in more detail. He said the bill would require DOT to issue permits within 60 business days after approval of the traffic impact study for qualifying residential projects, and would create a $120 per-unit fee to fund a dedicated liaison position and software upgrades. He said the applicant would also pay for third-party consultant engineer review under DOT oversight, with the consultant costs passed through at no DOT markup and any unused funds returned to the applicant. Hanscom said DOT has been working with the sponsor and builders to clarify the process and improve transparency, and estimated the fee would support a position that coordinates between applicants, districts, consultants, and DOT bureaus to reduce dead time in the review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing is unaffordable for half of all renters.
• </c><00:02:22.440><c> to</c> um but they can't provide housing to um but they can't provide housing to
• </c><00:02:51.800><c> and</c> sharply cut investments in housing and sharply cut investments in housing
• meeting Minnesota housing said there is meeting Minnesota housing said there is still<00:03:47.920><c
• </c> point where we're over 100,000 units point where we're over 100,000 units short<00:04:32.560><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• As California's affordable housing crisis worsens, unsubsidized affordable housing is disappearing and
• to live in affordable housing.
• Those are the affordable units.
• Those are the affordable units.
• One of California's most underserved housing populations is manufactured housing communities.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills. SB 1091, by Senator Kavayetal, would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation (CAP) program within HCD to provide financing and technical support for nonprofit and local efforts to acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. Supporters, including Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups, said preservation is a fast, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the program is intended to be funded through housing bond legislation and would be implemented upon appropriation. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Judiciary and passed out of committee. SB 904, by Senator Seyarto, would codify and expand the state’s coordinated wildfire recovery response by requiring HCD and other agencies to identify permitting and code barriers after future state-of-emergency wildfires and report on ways to speed rebuilding. The author cited the faster permitting response after the Los Angeles fires compared with the Camp Fire. Some members supported the goal but raised concerns about repeated reports and the burden on smaller jurisdictions; the author said the bill is meant to avoid reinventing the wheel and to streamline recovery. The committee noted the bill is fiscal and would go to Appropriations, and it was reported out with sufficient votes. SB 1007, by Senator Menjivar, would increase transparency and limit assessment growth in homeowners associations by requiring clearer disclosure of HOA finances and violation evidence, and by replacing the current 20% annual assessment increase ceiling with a cap tied to inflation, with possible amendments still under discussion. Supporters, including consumer and homeowner advocates, said the bill would help protect homeowners from steep fee hikes and opaque budgeting. Opponents from HOA management and industry groups argued the bill could undermine reserve funding, delay maintenance, and create more special assessments, while also adding duplicative disclosure requirements. Members debated whether the bill would protect homeowners without harming HOA finances; the author said he would continue negotiations and that the bill would look different in the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order.
• </c> to the house the approval thereof. to the house the approval thereof.
• </c> The House will be in order. The House will be in order.
• </c> not house aliens at these locations. not house aliens at these locations.
• I can't buy a house. I is too darn high. I can't buy a house.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 2809 by Representative Knight...
• Speaker the other day saying we've got to dismantle the United States.
• States law decide on who gets the house.
• I represent House District 12.
• That will conclude the hearing on House Bill 2589. Thank you.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:55.840><c> States</c> allegiance to the of the United States allegiance to the of the United
• So if there were two houses or two units being served by a meter, they are billed equally.
• /c> if there were two houses or two units uh if there were two houses or two units uh being<00:22:24.880
• or or more units that uh might be units or or more units that uh might be on<00:24:28.399><c> one</c
• session for House Bill 760.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• best country in the world, united.
• best country in the world, united.
• best country in the world, united.
• United was the...
• We look forward to working with the tribes united, the states united, and let this be a true United States

Summary: The Arizona House and Senate held the joint protocol session for the 31st Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, opening with a tribal blessing, presentation of the colors, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed tribal leaders, elders, and guests, emphasizing the importance of government-to-government collaboration, tribal sovereignty, and the role of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes in issues such as water, energy, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. The tribal address was delivered by Fort Mojave Chairman Timothy Williams, who focused heavily on Colorado River water rights, drought, climate change, and the need to include tribes in any future river management framework as current guidelines expire. He also discussed tribal economic development, education, public safety, border security, and the importance of protecting culture, language, land, and water. Thana Autumn Nation Chairman Verlin Jose similarly stressed unity, tribal sovereignty, border issues, water stewardship, and the economic impact of tribal gaming, arguing that tribes should be full partners in state and federal policy discussions and opposing a fixed border wall. Dr. Laura Tohi of the Navajo Nation gave a poetry reading and spoke about her background, the importance of language and oral tradition, and her role as Arizona State Poet Laureate. Her poems centered on food, water, weaving, and homeland. The session concluded with closing remarks from legislative leaders thanking participants for their perspectives and contributions, and the joint protocol session was dissolved. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House.
• for House Bill 2033.
• for House Bill 1866.
• 2668, House Bill 1917, House Bill 2016-21, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2384, House Bill
• 1766, and House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 154.

Transcript Highlights:

• We financed over a thousand affordable units through our local affordable housing trust fund.
• To address the conversion of at-risk units to market rate, the state began to adopt affordable housing
• housing, and everything in between. ...We were actually closing on a new construction 316-unit family
• We're closing 808 units of new family affordable housing in the next 45 days, and it's very exciting
• We proposed 133 unit affordable housing development, which is both adaptive reuse and ground-up construction

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• the House member of the committee presiding over today's hearing.
• It was House Bill 90, which was enacted in 2020.
• Would that necessitate two different units on that basis?
• the same unit?
• If I understand your question, you're asking about the... ...same unit.

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 2522 / H. 5909, which would amend state labor law to treat the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) as a public employer and allow its employees to seek collective bargaining rights. The chair explained the Article 48 initiative process, noted that no opponents or members of the public had signed up to testify, and said written testimony would be accepted through March 20. The hearing focused on whether CPCS staff should be brought within the public-sector bargaining framework and how that would interact with the agency’s statutory duties. Expert testimony began with an NCSL analyst, who gave a national overview of public employee bargaining rights and examples of public defender unions in other states and localities, including Colorado, New York City, Indianapolis, Cook County, Maryland, and Illinois. Department of Labor Relations officials then reviewed prior failed organizing efforts at CPCS and its predecessor, explaining that earlier petitions were dismissed because the agency was not considered a public employer under existing law. They said passage of the initiative would not automatically unionize employees, but would allow a union to petition for an election or written majority authorization, with normal unit-appropriateness and supervisory/confidential employee issues still to be resolved. CPCS Chief Counsel Anthony Benedetti testified that the agency supports providing information to the legislature but is not taking a position for or against unionization. He described CPCS’s statutory responsibilities, size, and current efforts to expand staffing after recent indigent-defense crises, and said any new bargaining framework would need to operate alongside the agency’s obligations to provide counsel. Proponents from SEIU Local 888 and allied labor groups argued that CPCS employees have long been denied the same collective bargaining rights as other public workers, and that a union would provide just-cause protections, a voice on staffing and working conditions, and better support for recruitment and retention. CPCS attorneys and staff testified in favor of the measure, citing heavy caseloads, rapid expansion, inadequate supervision and office support, and the need for representation in disciplinary and workplace disputes. Committee members asked about bargaining-unit composition, the role of the DLR, the effect of unionization on attorneys’ ethical duties, and the use and cost of paid signature gathering. The hearing ended with no votes taken and no opposition testimony presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the Metropolitan Council has goals for Bloomington of 2,300 new housing units, and Bloomington
• In the last 10 years, we've added 2,100 housing units, and we have another 1,000 units that are either
• </c><00:22:38.400><c> units</c> 10 years, we've added 2100 housing units 10 years, we've added 2100 housing
• Since then, over 20,000 units of housing have been added to the city of Minneapolis.
• </c><00:28:43.200><c> units</c><00:28:43.520><c> have</c> Um, not all of those housing units have Um,

Committee: Senate State and Local Government